A new diagnostic suite including, MRI, CT and ultrasound scanners is being installed at the Cumberland Infirmary. The suite is part of an £8m investment programme to deliver state of the art diagnostic capacity to the hospital.
The programme will see two new CT scanners and two new MRI scanners delivered to the Cumberland Infirmary which will mean services will no longer rely on the mobile units they currently do.
Stephen Prince Associate Director of Estates and Facilities said: “We currently have one CT scanner and one MRI scanner at the Cumberland Infirmary which are both more than ten years old and need replaced.
“The investment means that we will have a brand new diagnostic suite on the lower ground floor of the hospital and new scanners in the current suite – which is on the ground floor providing enhanced diagnostic imaging and much needed additional capacity.”
Hazel Raby Cancer Operational Lead said: “The new scanner will make a huge difference to both patients and staff. First of all the patient experience will be better because of the improved environment and because the new scanners have a faster scan time and a much improved image quality meaning early cancer diagnosis for example will be far easier and will lead to more timely treatment for patients.
“Having the two suites will mean that we no longer rely on the temporary mobile scanners, which don’t provide the level of privacy and dignity that we would like for our patients. It also means that we can have a dedicated suite for trauma and urgent scans without interrupting routine outpatient scans which can be undertaken in the second suite.”
The new suite will also support an additional ultrasound room which will assist in managing the increasing numbers of patients being referred for ultrasound scans.
Work on the new suite began in June and this week work has been undertaken to replace the floor. This work is a noisy and the Trust apologise to anyone who is affected by the disruptions this may cause.
Stephen said: “Because we are installing specialist equipment is it important that we have the correct environment for it. Unfortunately this means we have to take up the current floor and lay a new one. While this work will be noisy the builders will aim to complete it as quickly as possible. We are grateful for everyone’s understanding and patients at this time.”
The Trust aims to get the new suite fully functioning by November. Following that, work to renovate and replace the current diagnostic suite will begin. Both suites are expected to be fully functioning by spring 2021.
