A man from Dorset was the first patient to benefit from the new thoracoscopy equipment at Salisbury Hospital funded by the Stars Appeal.

The new diagnostic equipment allows for lung cancer and other respiratory patients at the hospital to be diagnosed more quickly and no longer have to travel to bigger specialist hospitals.

The charity has funded £170,000 worth of advanced equipment in the Respiratory Department that has enabled the introduction of two new procedures, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and thoracoscopy.

Michael Francis, 78, from Gillingham was the first person to use the new diagnostic technique.

He said: "I had an appointment with my consultant on the Tuesday where I was told that earlier tests had been inconclusive.

“I was then referred for the thoracoscopy on the Friday, you can't get much quicker than that. Having to wait for a confirmed diagnosis isn't a good place to be, it's always better to get these things done as soon as possible.

“That way you can get on with things and avoid having the uncertainty hanging over you. It's great to be able to have this service at our local hospital."

EBUS is a diagnostic technique that’s especially useful for suspected lung cancer and related conditions.

It uses a camera attached to an ultrasound machine that goes into the patient’s lungs. The doctor can look at tubing in the lungs and nearby lymph glands on screen.

As part of the procedure the doctor also takes a sample from the lungs.

EBUS allows detailed analysis which helps the respiratory team design and deliver more targeted treatments.

The new equipment means patients can now receive their results in as little as 72 hours.

Previously patients had to travel to Southampton for tests, and the process of diagnosis and starting treatment could take weeks.

Respiratory Consultant Dr Richard Harrison said: “Thanks to the generous people who support our Stars Appeal we have revolutionised our approach to the early diagnosis of lung cancer and other respiratory conditions.

“This is undoubtedly improving the outlook for our patients. It’s already helping hundreds of people a year and that will only increase. This is speeding up diagnosis, stopping unnecessary slower tests and giving us more information from one test.

“Because we can diagnose and stage lung cancer together, we can create a treatment plan more quickly at what is a very distressing time for patients and their families, and ensure they continue to see the Salisbury medical team they’ve already got to know.”