Health / Mobile MRI unit will scan 300 patients
SEVERAL hundred local patients will benefit from a mobile MRI scanner due to visit the Gilbert Bain Hospital for six days later this month.
NHS Shetland said the unit will be arriving in Lerwick on Friday 15 July, with first appointments available later the same day.
Director of nursing and acute service Kathleen Carolan said that thanks to the mobile unit around 300 patients will not have to travel to Aberdeen for a scan.
It means that whilst we procure our own MRI scanner, we will be able to provide the majority of scans locally and our radiographers will run the service which will help them to train and maintain their skills in the meantime,” she said.
The service has been made possible through additional funding from the Scottish Government. The mobile scanner will more on to the Balfour Hospital in Orkney on Saturday 23 July.
To allow safe access to the hospital site, parking restrictions will be in place on Cairnfield Road from tomorrow (14 July) until after the scanner has entered the site.
The six disabled car parking spaces at the front of the hospital will be temporarily relocated to the opposite side of the car park whilst the scanner is in Shetland.
Appointments will be taking place from 2pm until 5pm on Friday 15 July, and between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday 22 July.
Staff will be calling suitable patients on the 01595 743001 number in due course, the health board said.
Unfortunately, for clinical reasons not all patients or examination types can be performed on the mobile scanner, NHS Shetland added.
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