INVERCLYDE Royal has opened a new state-of-the-art £40,000 resuscitation unit thanks to the League of Hospital Friends as it hits the £2m mark for donations.

The charity, which runs the Helen Wyllie Tea Bar in the foyer, stepped in to fund the impressive training room.

Following a total refurbishment staff now have the latest equipment to help them save lives.

League of Hospital Friends chairman Peter Hempsey recently had the honour of opening the unit, which medics are delighted with.

Lead specialist resuscitation practitioner Tom Alexander said: “We cannot thank the League of Friends enough for funding our new facility.

"Previously we were based in the education centre building situated on the other side of the Larkfield Unit, away from the main IRH building.

"The facility was small and cramped and was not easily accessible for staff from the main building.

“This unit is now the leading resuscitation training facility in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area and we will be able to offer training courses to staff from across all hospitals in the west of Scotland.

"This magnificent, modern facility will allow us to train staff from across the wards and departments within Inverclyde Royal.

"The use of the equipment and skills with which we will be able to train staff will have the potential to safe lives which might otherwise be lost."

In recent times the League's volunteers have also funded several portable defibrillators and a Lucas Chest Compression System, which can help save the lives of patients suffering cardiac arrest.

The League of Friends has now raised more than £2 million for the hospital since it was set up 50 years ago.

All the money raised from the tea bar is ploughed back into the hospital and the charity also runs a busy hospital transport service as well.

Chairman Peter said: “The League of Hospital Friends in Inverclyde is pleased to have funded such an important and impressive unit at Inverclyde Royal.

"The training of health service staff within the resuscitation unit will benefit the people of the Inverclyde community and beyond."