Preston Muslim Society raise thousands for digital CT post-mortem scanner at Royal Preston Hospital

Preston Muslim Society raise 33,430 for a digital CT scanner for post-mortems at Royal Preston Hospital

A number of mosques from across Lancashire have raised more than Â£30,000 to go towards a digital CT scanner at Royal Preston Hospital.The scanner, which is used to perform digital post-mortems, was officially opened in May and is the first of its kind in the North West – as well as being one of only a small few throughout the rest of the UK.

Easing the anguish of death for Lancashire families with digital scans

Recognising the benefit the new scanner has brought to people across the county, the Preston Muslim Society coordinated a fund-raising effort, raising Â£33,430. A traditional post-mortem is performed by a pathologist who has to open the body and remove the organs to carry out the examination.

Developments in CT scanning and research now allow a digital post-mortem to be performed without the need for the traditional invasive procedure - unless further investigation is required to clarify the cause of death.This method also preserves the dignity of the deceased person and is of particular importance where the deceased person is of certain faiths.

A cause of death is identified in around 97 per cent of all the autopsies carried out in this way.The less-invasive process can also help to reduce the time required to establish a cause of death.

In the around three per cent of cases where further analysis may be required after a digital autopsy, more precise and less invasive investigations are able to be performed to establish the cause of death due to the work already covered by the scan. All of this together often benefits people who require an expedited release of the deceased person.

Karen Partington, chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “We are truly grateful for this donation from the Preston Muslim Society. It is so humbling to know that the Muslim community has raised such a huge amount of money like this as an appreciation for the service. We owe everyone who contributed towards the donation a huge thank you.“We are really proud to be able to provide this fantastic service for people across Lancashire and South Cumbria and knowing how much it is appreciated by the way of such donations, inspires us to continue working hard and delivering high quality services like this.”

The donated funds will be used to help contribute towards the general running costs of the service.