A hospital trust has responded to complaints made by a grieving mother over the delay of putting a life-saving machine she donated into use.

Wendy Evans, 80, lost her son Neil, aged 48, in June 2021 after he had been diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

Following his death, Mrs Evans, from Gorleston, spearheaded a fundraising mission in tribute to her son and raised £50,000 to buy a Horus mole mapping machine.

It is understood that had her son had access to one, his life may have been saved.

He died in Sydney, Australia, where he had lived since 2004.

In June 2023 Mrs Evans donated the machine to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and it has sat idle since then.

Aerial photo of the NNUH and Norwich Research ParkAerial photo of the NNUH and Norwich Research Park (Image: Norfolk and Norfolk University Hospital)

Earlier this week, this paper ran a story, putting pressure on the hospital to answer why it still isn't in use.

NNUH interim medical director Dr Bernard Brett says there are "technical issues" which are delaying it being put to use.

He said:  “We are extremely grateful to Mrs Evans and her family, who have kindly donated this mole-mapping equipment to the hospital.

"There remain final technical issues that need sorting out before we can bring the equipment safely into use for our patients and we are working to resolve them as quickly as possible."

READ MORE: Grieving mother's anger as life saving machine sits idle for 15-months

Neil Evans, from Gorleston, died of melanoma in Australia in June 2021.Neil Evans, from Gorleston, died of melanoma in Australia in June 2021.

READ MORE: Norfolk parents pay 'emotional' visit to their son's final resting place in Australia

Mrs Evans had said: "It is absolutely crazy that after our huge fundraising efforts, which saw many many people come together to donate or equally partake in our endeavours, the machine we bought after raising £50,000 is still sitting in its box.

"As a family we simply want answers, do the NNUH still want the machine, when do they plan to use it, and why has it taken so long?

"If there isn't any clarity soon we will offer it to another hospital, my son was from Gorleston so it would be fitting if James Paget would accept the machine."

Stan and Wendy Evans went to Sydney to visit their son Neil's final resting placeStan and Wendy Evans went to Sydney to visit their son Neil's final resting place (Image: Submitted)