A WORCESTERSHIRE hospital has a new £2m MRI scanner which will help diagnose cancer more quickly.
The purchase of a high-specification MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner has been approved by the board of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which also runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.
The new scanner is due to be installed at the Treatment Centre of Kidderminster Hospital next summer so patients in the area will not need to rely on a mobile unit for scans.
Health chiefs also say it will reduce waiting times and allow outpatient clinics on the same day as scans.
The scanner will work extended hours and extra staff, including specialist MRI radiographers, will be recruited, health chiefs say.
The ‘3-tesla scanner’ offers higher resolution and faster scan times and has better advanced scanning capabilities than existing machines.
Chief executive John Rostill said: “This is further proof of our commitment to expanding and improving the excellent facilities already on offer at Kidderminster.”
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