Patients across mid Wales have been given a boost following an agreement by Welsh Government to provide nearly £5m for the purchase of a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner at Bronglais General Hospital.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething made a commitment this week to invest in improved screening equipment through the National Imaging Programme, with the new scanner to be provided at Bronglais by 2020.
Peter Skitt, Hywel Dda’s County Director and Commissioner for Ceredigion, said: “The provision of a new MRI scanner to meet the needs of patients at Bronglais General Hospital and Mid Wales generally was identified as a priority some time ago, and I’m delighted that Welsh Government have agreed to provide capital funding for this to come to fruition.”
The Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Mrs. Bernardine Rees OBE, added: “This is wonderful news for Bronglais and for communities across mid Wales. The provision of a new MRI scanner at the hospital supports our wider transformation programme and our commitment to developing our clinical strategy in this area.”
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. An MRI scan can be used to examine almost any part of the body.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething added: “The new scanning equipment announced today will improve reliability, leading to better patient satisfaction and fewer cancellations. Improved technology is also much quicker which means health boards can increase the numbers of patients scanned.
“All of this is good news for patients and I’m pleased the significant funding I’ve announced today will make a real difference for health services across Wales.”
