New million-pound MRI scanner for Lymington New Forest Hospital

A NEW MRI scanner worth almost a million pounds is to be installed at Lymington hospital.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the site, announced that a Siemens Magnetom MRI is expected to be available for patients from September.

It will take the place of a mobile scanner which was being used in the hospital’s car park after their previous one had to be decommissioned earlier this year.

The new scanner has a wider bore which will make it a less claustrophobic experience for patients.

It also has the capability to produce high quality, clearer images, helping medics identify health issues.

It is also quicker than older machines meaning more patients can be seen and fewer having to travel far to receive scans.

Laura Rothery, Southern Health's divisional director of operations for its south-west division, said: “The new MRI scanner, and its state-of-the-art facilities, will provide a significantly improved service for patients in the local community and beyond.”

Mike Hodges, trustee and joint chair of Lymington Hospital Friends which paid for the last scanner, said: “The Lymington Hospital Friends are delighted to see the new MRI scanner complete the fantastic range of imaging equipment in the radiology department."

The new MRI unit has been designed with the help of the hospital’s radiology team. The scanner is being installed by Rydon, the hospital’s building contractors.