WORK has begun at the Alexandra Hospital to house a piece of equipment which will permanently revolutionise patient scanning.

A turf-cutting ceremony was held on Friday when staff from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust radiography department and Bromsgrove-based construction company Weaver PLC were present.

An MRI scanner is a large machine into which a patient is placed and scanned using a powerful magnet.

It passes magnetic fields through patients then computers collect the data and reconstruct a detailed image of the area in question.

Chief radiographer Chris Hill said: "This is excellent news for the hospital. Although the mobile MRI unit has provided an excellent service over the years, it has become evident we need an on-site service to meet the needs of patients.

"MRI is also increasingly used to image and diagnose a wide range of disease and medical conditions so the onsite MRI scanner will improve diagnostic facilities for doctors."

Peter Lightfoot, joint managing director of Weaver PLC, said "We're pleased to be associated with this exciting development which will provide an improved radiography service for patients.

"The new unit has been designed with patients' comfort and privacy in mind."

The unit will have a reception area, changing area and trolley wait/recovery area and can be accessed by out-patients directly from the front of the hospital. The building will be located between the main entrance and A&E.

A League of Friends spokesman said: "When we heard the Trust has secured this fantastic piece of equipment, we were delighted.

"Our main fundraising events this year, the summer fete on July 3 and annual raffle, will raise money to buy additional equipment for the scanner. We hope to raise £10,000."