NEW facilities provided by the Friends of Lydney Hospital include a £14,000 state-of-the-art audio booth for diagnosing hearing problems.

"This will enable the majority of patients to have their hearing problems handled at Lydney Hospital rather than having to travel to Gloucester for this service," says a Friends spokesman.

"As a direct result of this investment additional audiology clinics will be taking place at Lydney, and the Friends have been assured that the new facilities are now the best available at any community hospital in the county."

Other recent purchases include a patient lift which is now operating at the hospital, new diagnostic tools for the minor injuries unit, a portable bladder-scanner and specialist beds and mattresses.

The new facilities were seen in action recently when the chair of Gloucestershire Care Services, Mrs Ingrid Barker, visited the hospital.

She thanked the Friends and the public for making funds available for improving services and said community hospitals were at the heart of local health and social care services.