A hospital CT scanner which has been out of action for the second time over the space of a number of days has led to calls for a replacement.
Newry & Armagh Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady said there is an urgent need for the instalment of a new CT scanner in Daisy Hill Hospital.
The MP made his comments after meeting with the Chief Executive and members of the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, where he revealed that the current CT scanner had been recently out of action for the second time within a short period of days.
“There is an urgent need for capital funding to be made available for a new CT scanner,” said Mr Brady.
“The age, condition and effectiveness of the current machine is a cause of great concern and I am aware that it recently broke down again.”
He added: “Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City is in the largest locality in the Southern Trust in Newry and Mourne, and also provides for the wider catchment population which also includes south Armagh and south Down.
“It is essential that to ensure that the objectives of ‘increasing capacity to meet future demand and to further improve quality and safety’ are met, that investment and funding for new, up to date major CT and MRI scanning equipment is made available as a matter of urgency.
“I have made my concerns known to the Trust. The issue of Investment in all vital Imaging Services and Equipment to be provided for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital has also been raised by Staff, Patient Groups and Hospital Support Groups. It is important that our voices are heard and action taken.”
