New heart scanner supports faster diagnoses for children in West Herts
State-of-the-art equipment is now in use at Watford General Hospital
Children and newborns in West Hertfordshire now have access to faster cardiac diagnostics, thanks to a new heart ultrasound scanner at Watford General Hospital.
The advanced equipment, funded by West Herts Hospitals Charity's community-driven Caring for Generations appeal, was introduced to clinical practice on 22nd January 2026.
It is used in the Neonatal Unit to scan babies as small as 600 grams and is also routinely applied in Children’s Outpatients clinics for patients aged up to 16.
The scanner delivers high-resolution images of the heart, enabling clinicians to diagnose serious heart conditions quickly and often during the patient’s first visit. This keeps families closer to home by reducing the need for travel to specialist centres and speeds up treatment plans, offering greater peace of mind.
Dr Sankara Narayanan, Consultant Neonatologist at Watford General Hospital, said: “Having this machine in place is already making a significant difference to the way we care for our patients.
"This advanced technology is life-changing for the babies and children in our care who require urgent cardiac diagnostics. It allows us to make faster, more accurate diagnoses on-site, which is critical for improving the long-term outcomes for children with suspected heart conditions.”
CEO of West Herts Hospitals Charity, Alison Rosen, said,
“We are incredibly grateful to the Watford Health Trust and our local community for their unwavering support. This scanner is a vital addition to our hospital’s services and seeing it in use in the Children’s Outpatients clinic illustrates why our ‘Caring for Generations’ appeal exists. It is your generosity that ensures our youngest patients at West Herts Hospitals get the best possible start in life.”