Basildon Hospital £4million new 'imaging department'

More than 60 patients a day are now being seen at the new "imaging department" at the hospital, which features a state-of-the-art CT scanner and two MRI machines.

Thanks to the £4m investment, patients are also benefitting from a dedicated patient waiting area, changing facilities, and a three-bay bed – all geared towards creating a friendlier environment for patients.

The new equipment at Basildon Hospital, part of the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, has been revealed just days after the £8.5m expansion of Southend Hospital’s emergency department began in a bid to speed up care and bring an end to long queues of ambulances waiting to drop off sick patients.

Brian Green, general manager for radiology, said: “Our hugely improved facilities make it a much more welcoming experience for patients.

“With new CT scanners and MRI machines, and improved patient waiting areas, our imaging services have been transformed.”

Mr Green further elaborated on the benefits of advances in digital technology.

He said: “Advances in digital-technology imaging can be completed faster than on older machines, which means we can scan more patients each day, keep up with increasing demand and reduce overall waiting times.

“This also helps increase the number of inpatient and emergency care patients we can see, so more patients can be imaged on the same day and return home faster.”

The high-end CT scanners and MRI machines were procured under Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust’s replacement and improvement programme of works, bolstered by national funding from NHS England.

This revamp is believed to be key to facilitating faster patient scanning at Basildon Hospital, while also improving the overall hospital visit experience for patients.