A NEW state-of-the-art scanner has been unveiled at a Worcestershire hospital.

The new CT scanner at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital was officially opened by the town’s newly-appointed Mayor Cllr Pattie Hill on Thursday, June 25.

The new Toshiba Aqulilion Prime scanner has been introduced following a spike in demand for imaging services, and was first used earlier this month.

Cllr Hill, who is a long-standing volunteer at the hospital’s Macmillan Centre, said she was “delighted” to unveil the new piece of equipment.

“It’s a great asset to our local hospital and its patients,” she said.

CT scans are used to create images of the inside of the body and are more detailed than standard x-rays. The new scanner includes an animated screen displaying visuals and tips for patients and children nervous about their scan.

The hospital’s chief radiographer David Hill said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that we now have this second scanner.

“It will make such a difference to our staff and our patients.

“It will allow us to see even more patients and reduce the length of time they have to wait for a scan.”

Over the last 12 months more than 57,500 CT scans have been performed in Worcestershire, an increase from 54,900 the previous year.