The almost £5 million upgrades at five hospitals will improve image quality, reduce radiation exposure and reduce waiting times.
Wales continues to upgrade the diagnostic equipment at its hospitals. Welsh government funding of £481,000 will upgrade Withybush General Hospital’s gamma camera system to boost diagnostics.
The upgrade will extend the life of the existing gamma camera serving the West Wales region. The enhanced camera will help to ensure that doctors can continue diagnosing a wide range of conditions and plan effective treatments without disruption to diagnostic services.
“This vital piece of equipment serves not only Withybush Hospital but also provides specialist Nuclear Medicine imaging across the entire health board and beyond,” said Liaquat Khan, clinical director of radiology at Hywel Dda University Health Board.
Reduced waiting times
The news follows the announcement in mid-September that Colwyn Bay, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Wrexham Maelor and Ysbyty Gwynedd hospitals would all receive X-ray equipment with better image quality and reliability as part of a £4.4 million investment from the government.
The investment will see older X-ray machines replaced with new, updated digital radiology systems. This will ensure image quality is improved and radiation exposure is reduced, as well as being easier for staff as they are much more comfortable to use and are fully automated for positioning.
New fluoroscopy systems, which are useful for reviewing the swallowing action and radiological procedures such as biopsies or drainages, will be provided at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd.
Mammography imaging equipment, which is used to examine the breast and is vital in helping to detect cancer and other breast diseases, will also be replaced at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd.
“We all have the same goal of reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. This new equipment will help us on that journey,” said Jim McGuigan, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s deputy executive medical director.
