For children living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), life can mean constant discomfort, countless hospital visits, and invasive tests that take a toll on both body and spirit. But at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), a new piece of portable equipment is changing that experience – bringing faster answers, less stress, and gentle care to hundreds of young patients.
Thanks to generous philanthropic support from the Jakob Frenkiel Charitable Trust, the RCH has been able to purchase a cutting-edge intestinal ultrasound (IUS) machine – a breakthrough that is transforming the hospital’s IBD service and the way it cares for countless sick kids.
“It’s a game changer,” says Associate Professor George Alex, Head of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at the RCH. “We can now see in real time what’s happening in a child’s bowel, and we can do it right at the bedside, without anaesthetic or needing to rely on more invasive procedures.”
The RCH cares for more than 800 children with IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and sees around 120 new diagnoses each year. Until recently, these children often had to undergo follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or endoscopies to assess and monitor their condition – procedures that can be stressful and daunting, especially for younger patients.
Now, with IUS technology, the experience looks vastly different. Performed by specially trained gastroenterologists, this highly targeted imaging minimises the need for anaesthesia and sedation, or complicated preparation, associated with endoscopy. Unlike standard ultrasounds, which focus on solid organs such as the liver or kidneys, the IUS machine gives gastroenterologists a live, detailed look at the small and large bowel.
“What makes this tool so powerful is that it’s used by the same specialists who know the disease inside out,” George said.
“Children no longer need to drink litres of prep solution or lie still in an MRI scanner for an hour. We can wheel the machine right to their bedside, perform the scan immediately, and make treatment decisions straight away,” he further emphasised.
Investing in this innovative equipment is expected to reduce hospital admissions, shorten inpatient stays, and help children return to their happy, healthy lives sooner. Importantly, this machine is already making a powerful impact where it’s needed most – in the lives of children and their families.
For George and his team, the arrival of this machine represents far more than a clinical improvement – it’s a heartwarming symbol of partnership and generosity.
“The Jakob Frenkiel Charitable Trust, through the RCH Foundation, stepped in with the funding we needed to make this possible. We’re incredibly grateful and it was a really special moment for our team. It shows that people see the work we are doing and believe in it. That kind of support means everything,” he reflected.
Every scan performed with the new IUS machine is a moment made possible by philanthropy – a moment where a child feels less fear, a family feels more hope, and a doctor can deliver answers faster than ever before.
“The feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive. Families tell us that they really appreciate how easy and gentle the process is and are relieved that their child can be spared from the anxiety of traditional imaging methods,” said George.
This project is supported by Jakob Frenkiel Charitable Trust.