PATIENTS requiring a range of diagnostic tests will be seen quicker thanks to additional scanning capacity at the Alexandra Hospital.

A new mobile MRI scanner was delivered to the hospital in January and will be followed by a mobile CT scanner that will arrive later this month.

Both are in addition to the permanent MRI and CT scanners already in place. 

The equipment forms part of the government’s £350 million investment across the UK to provide earlier scans and reduce waiting lists which have grown during the pandemic. 

Redditch Advertiser: An outside view of the mobile MRI scanner at the Alexandra Hospital.An outside view of the mobile MRI scanner at the Alexandra Hospital.

Dr Inderjeet Nagra, Clinical Lead for Radiology at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The additional scanning capacity will allow us to continue to provide optimal care for patients in a safe and timely manner, making diagnostic tests more accessible to the people of Worcestershire, with potentially shorter waiter times, delivered away from the main hospital sites, and delivering exceptional patient care with improved patient experience.”

Paul Brennan, Chief Operating Officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is an important part of our work to improve access for our patients to a range of important procedures which are an essential part of the early diagnosis and timely treatment of some potentially serious conditions, including many forms of cancer.

“The new facilities at the Alexandra Hospital form part of a wider programme of improvements to diagnostic facilities at all our hospital sites which will support our efforts to put our patients first, deliver the highest quality care possible and reduce waiting lists which have grown during the Covid pandemic.

“It will help increase capacity to meet the current demand and give every patient the care and support they need, and forms a critical part of our wider system plan to address some of the covid backlog.”