BUILDING work has started on a new MRI scanning suite at Salisbury District Hospital.

The first part of the process is building the new Stars Appeal funded suite in the Old Library, which will house one of two state-of-the-art MRI scanners which will be arriving at the hospital over the coming months.

Having two scanners at the hospital will help eliminate the need for patients to travel for a scan or use a mobile scanner in the hospital car park.

This will also help reduce waiting times and allow the introduction of cutting edge technology including cardiac and prostate MRI.

The first of these scanners, which is being installed in the new suite is expected to be operational by early 2021.

The second MRI scanner, which has been funded by generous donations to the Stars Appeal MRI Scanner Campaign, will be installed in the main hospital building in spring 2021.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Stacey Hunter, said: “This upgraded technology will help to improve patient diagnosis and care and I’d like to thank the Stars Appeal for funding the suite and the second scanner.

"I would also like to thank our Library, Estates and Portering teams for their hard work in relocating our healthcare library and preparing the space for the builders.”

Consultant surgeon and chairman of the Stars Appeal MRI Scanner Campaign Graham Branagan added: “We are delighted to see the new suite and second MRI scanner coming to fruition.

"I would like to thank everyone that so generously supported our Stars Appeal MRI Scanner Campaign and helped us to reach the £1.5million target to make this fantastic development that will benefit so many local people, possible.”