A SUFFOLK healthcare company has invested in new technology which it believes makes it the first independent private practice in the county to offer an advanced screening facility to its patients.

Gilmour Piper, which has been involved in musculoskeletal healthcare for 30 years and is a member of the EADT’s Suffolk Future 50 listing of high-growth-potential businesses, will now be delivering diagnostic ultrasound scanning from its Ipswich practice.

The diagnostic tool means those suffering from sports or muscular injuries can now receive an even clearer assessment of their specific soft tissue or joint-related problem.

Heading the screening facility are consultant radiologists Dr Warren Davis and Dr Steve Garber. They will work in conjunction with the practice’s other in-house specialists who span a range including cranial osteopathy for children, spinal surgery, physiotherapy and acupuncture.

Physiotherapist Mark Newman, a partner from Gilmour Piper, said: “Ultrasound imaging has long been regarded as an important evaluation tool by those working with high-level sports professionals.

“We have concluded that having this facility in-house will give us even more opportunity to quickly and dynamically assess patients in order to create the right treatment options on the basis of a crystal-clear understanding of their damage or injury.

“Too often we see patients who have spent many weeks or months without an accurate diagnosis from imaging and who’s only other option would have been to wait to see a hospital specialist for a scan assessment.

“This evaluation tool will make such a valuable difference to so many people – whether they’re a professional sports player or have persistently suffered with nagging muscular discomfort.”