Health chiefs begin MRI scanner talks

Health chiefs begin MRI scanner talks

23 May 2018

DISCUSSIONS have begun between senior health chiefs about providing a new MRI scanner at the Downe Hospital.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard has confirmed that the South Eastern Trust is in talks with the Department of Health about installing a new scanner which takes detailed images of the inside of the body.

Local politicians and health campaigners have been arguing for the provision of the scanner which they are confident will not only help reduce the waiting list for diagnostic tests, but play a crucial role in helping sustain the future of the Downpatrick hospital.

Campaigners say there is sufficient room in the building for the scanner and believe the specialist equipment could be used by local people and patients from outside the South Eastern Trust area.

Mr Hazzard said campaigners were heartened to learn recently that the health trust had finally accepted the case being made for the scanner at the Downe and would soon submit a business case to the Department of Health.

“I have now received confirmation from Richard Pengelly, the Permanent Secretary at the Department, that discussions have now commenced with the Trust,” he revealed. “The Department is looking forward to considering the business case when submitted in the time ahead.”

The MP again appealed to both the health trust and government department to work in partnership to help deliver what he described as this “much-needed piece of medical equipment.”

Mr Hazzard continued: “The provision of an MRI scanner is vital as we continue to build the capacity of the Downe Hospital to meet the ever increasing health needs of the local community.”

Mr Hazzard, who is lobbying for the scanner, has said previously that with waiting lists for MRI scans lengthening and local patients being forced to wait “extraordinary lengths of time for life-altering scans,” it was time the Downpatrick hospital had its own diagnostic scanner.

He said the equipment would be a welcome addition to services at the Downe and also of great benefit to the local community who currently face long waits and long journeys to Belfast for scans when a date is eventually allocated.

The Down Community Health Committee is also encouraging health chiefs to provide a new scanner in Downpatrick, arguing the equipment would enable the hospital to provide an additional range of services and ensure local people would not have to travel outside the district to use such a facility.