WIREDGOV

Over £11 million was yesterday announced by Health Secretary Vaughan Gething to provide four Welsh local health boards with improved scanning equipment.

Welsh Government funding will pay for new MRI scanners at Singleton Hospital, Swansea; Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan; and Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth. 

Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil will also receive funding for Fluoroscopy Equipment.

It is expected that three of the four schemes will be complete in 2019, however the MRI at Bronglais is not expected to complete until 2020.

The Welsh Government has made a commitment to invest in improved screening equipment through the National Imaging Programme. The benefits of the scheme are as follows:

• Improved reliability – reducing numbers of cancelled operations as a result
• Reduced revenue costs of running and maintaining aged equipment; and
• Better quality imaging resulting in earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething yesterday said:

“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.”