Scalp-coolers bought by hospital

The machines work by reducing the temperature of the scalp

Scalp-cooling machines which are thought to help reduce hair loss in cancer patients have been bought by a Leeds hospital.

Twenty-one of the coolers have been installed in the city's St James's University Hospital.

The machines work by lowering the temperature of the scalp, protecting hair follicles from the effects of chemotherapy drugs.

They were bought with money donated by breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk.

The machines are manufactured by Huddersfield-based Paxman Coolers.

Sue Dodman, a matron at the hospital's oncology centre said: "We are absolutely delighted with this extremely generous donation.

"This will be a big step forward in enhancing the treatment of our patients undergoing chemotherapy, for whom hair loss is a significant factor."