More than 5,000 people a year who suffer from lung ailments and breathing conditions are set to benefit from a new facility at Basildon Hospital.

The diagnosis and treatment of patients with lung conditions is set to be greatly enhanced thanks to a cash injection of £100,000 to improve the hospital’s pulmonary physiology department.

The money has paid for new hi-tech equipment and enabled the department to move from the main hospital building to more spacious facilities at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, on the hospital site.

The department, which provides diagnosis and treatment for people with a wide range of lung conditions, is due to be officially opened tomorrow by Paralympic 800m champion Danny Crates, 35.

The athlete, from Corringham, who lost his right arm in a road accident, will see for himself how staff at the unit can carry out specialist tests to assess the level of oxygen in a patient’s blood.

Other procedures which can now also be carried out include measuring how well a patient’s lungs are functioning, assessing whether they are fit for surgery and seeing if they are fit to travel on an aeroplane.

More than 100 patients a week use the pulmonary physiology department, both as outpatients and inpatients.

The move to the new building has provided the pulmonary team with extra space and facilities as well as the capacity to see more patients.

Dr Johnson Samuel, consultant respiratory physician, at Basildon Hospital said: “Our new facilities and equipment mean we now have the most modern technology at our fingertips, to enhance our diagnosis and treatment for patients.

“We can now provide our colleagues in other parts of the hospital and community with in-depth, specialist information.

“We can assess cardio-respiratory function, whether a patient is fit for surgery, suitable for certain treatments, or well enough to return home.”