WORK is underway on the installation of a new £500,000 CT scanner at Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer.
The new scanner has been delivered by Cannon who are also installing it into the Radiology Department, which has been prepared by the company Modus.
Nursing Services Manager Natalie Adams said: “We’re delighted to see the arrival of his new state-of-the-art piece of equipment.
“The new scanner means we will have the same scanning capabilities as at
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, helping to ensure equality of service across the region.
“We’re now getting well through six weeks of work which began on November 19, and as part of this we have a mobile CT scanner in place within the hospital car park.
“This is helping to minimise disruption to the present service, while is carried out to install the new scanner.”
A CT scanner plays a key role in medical diagnosis and treatment.
It works by producing computer-processed combinations of X-ray measurements taken from different angles, producing cross-sectional images which allow clinicians to see inside the body.
This new CT scanner will offer faster scanning with improved quality of produced scans.
And the new scanner itself has a larger bore, allowing the possibility of scanning claustrophobic patients, and also allowing more comfortable scanning for all sizes of patients.
Another benefit of the new scanner is that it allows clinicians to reduce the radiation dose from scanning.
£500,000 of funding was provided from The Scottish Government to obtain the new scanner.
General Manager for Acute and Diagnostic Services Nicole Hamlet said: “We’re extremely grateful to the Scottish Government for the funding which has helped make this possible, and are certain that this new enhanced technology at Stranraer will bring real medical benefits to communities for years to come.”
