£0.6m upgrade approved for 10-year-old MRI scanner at Antrim Area Hospital
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has approved a proposed £634k upgrade of an MRI scanner at Antrim Hospital.
Lynne McCartney, interim director of surgery, women’s health and diagnostic services, told Trust board members the scanner was installed in 2016 and the expected lifespan of this piece of equipment is between 10 and 12-years.
A report to a recent meeting of the Trust board said it should “ideally be replaced every ten years due to older machines not being able to take new updates”. The director explained older machines “can’t do updates and the quality of images is not just as good”.
However, it was noted that benefits of the proposal would include increased image quality and decreased scan times and it would provide a “reliable contingency for all out-patient appointments in the event of equipment failure on an acute site”.
The recommended option of an upgraded imaging system was approved by the Trust board with funding to be provided by the Department of Health.
The report noted it “fully meets the objectives of the proposal within the constraints of the funding available”. Members did not proceed with an option to purchase a new scanner at a cost of £1.2m.
Separately, at the meeting, members noted an additional £200k is required for a planned extension to the car park at Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, bringing the overall cost to £824k.
Paddy Graffin, director of infrastructure, told members that additional funds were required following the discovery of mare’s tail, an invasive weed.
A meeting report stated: “The excavated mare’s tail falls under the Controlled Waste Regulations NI and there is an obligation to ensure that the waste is transported and disposed of properly.”
Mr Graffin indicated that development work is taking place to provide an additional 90 parking spaces.
“A significant presence of invasive mare’s tail was identified within the proposed car park works area immediately prior to commencement,” the report said.
“Due to the invasive nature and deep-root structure of the plant, proceeding with the original construction would result in regrowth through the completed car park surface and kerbing, which would breakdown the surfaces.
“Following consideration of treatment options, it was agreed that the most expedient approach was to develop a revised construction detail incorporating protective/root barrier measures, while adjusting site levels to minimise the amount of excavation and off-site disposal of affected material.”
The Northern Trust said previously: “Currently, there are 843 spaces at Causeway Hospital, however, the car park is often at full capacity, leading to congestion and delays for patients, visitors and staff.”
The report to the meeting stated: “The hospital has experienced growth in patient numbers and staff over recent years, which has led to a pressing need for additional car parking spaces to accommodate the rising demand.
“The current parking infrastructure is insufficient, causing inconvenience for patients, visitors, and staff, and potentially impacting the hospital’s ability to deliver timely and effective care. Contractor has been appointed and contracts signed.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter