Scanner Marks Major Hospital Investment

Despite well-publicised public sector cut-backs, Co Down is to get a major health boost soon.

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said that Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry is to benefit from a new state-of-the-art '64 slice' CT Scanner that is costing £600,000.

This investment will allow the Trust to provide a much improved range of diagnostic scanning services within Daisy Hill Hospital and reduce the need to transfer patients to Craigavon when more complex scans are required.

Announcing the large investment, Michael McGimpsey said: "This development in scanning at Daisy Hill Hospital will greatly improve the experience of patients as scans will be completed more quickly with higher quality images in a single scanning session.

"Advances in scanning technology now provide a much higher quality image and give our clinicians the accuracy they require to assist in their diagnosis," he said.

"It is important that we continue to invest in the appropriate technology which will improve services for all our patients.

"Today's investment in Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, further demonstrates my commitment to modernise our health and social care services and ensure patients have timely access to the services they need," he concluded, noting that a 'single slice' scanner at Daisy Hill Hospital has been in operational from 2000 and is thought to be one of the last still is use within Northern Ireland.

He also said that the new CT Scanner will provide the potential for increased scanning capacity and a wider range of diagnostic services within Daisy Hill Hospital. It is hoped the new CT Scanner will be operational in the Autumn.

(BMcC/GK)