The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust Board has given the go ahead for investment in new CT and x-ray equipment at West Cornwall Hospital as part of a £2 million project.

The new CT scanner and digital x-ray equipment replaces existing equipment, offering faster scanning and imaging times, along with reduced ionising radiation exposure doses to patients. The x-ray rooms will be equipped with the latest digital x-ray technology, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of patients seen in the hospital’s Urgent Care Centre.

Clinical imaging lead, Emma Spouse, said: “The trust’s considerable investment in the modernisation of imaging at West Cornwall is an exciting time for the radiographers working at the hospital and will greatly benefit patients who have need to use their local imaging services. It is a busy department undertaking 5,537 CT scans and 18,102 x-rays last year supporting inpatients, outpatients and GP referrals, as well as the Urgent Care Centre.”

Friends of West Cornwall Hospital vice chairman, Carolyn Rowe, said: “On behalf of the people of Penwith, the League of Friends of West Cornwall Hospital welcome the installation a new scanner and x-ray equipment. This supports the provision of services to local people nearer to home, rather than having to travel to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.”

The project also includes urgent maintenance work and some refurbishment of the CT and x-ray departments with work due to begin later in 2017 and expected to be completed by next spring.

West Cornwall Hospital manager, Paul Sylvester, added: “I am delighted the trust board has given its approval for this additional investment into West Cornwall Hospital and feel this is recognition the hospital is clearly part of future plans for the trust.

"We will continue to provide high level care, closer to home for the people and community of West Cornwall and will work closely with the wider healthcare community to provide improved and better integrated services.”