Construction on a new MRI unit at Causeway Hospital will get underway this week.
The new unit will be linked to the radiology department in the main hospital, and will also have its own entrance.
Kevin McMahon, Director of Surgery and Clinical Services with the Northern Trust said:
“We’re really pleased to see work begin on Causeway Hospital’s new MRI unit. This will provide state-of-the-art diagnostics for our patients once the unit becomes operational in June 2025.
“Improving and enhancing our diagnostics at Causeway is one of our priorities for the hospital and is part of our Strategic Vision for its future. We believe Causeway is perfectly positioned to become an elective and diagnostic hub for the North West and the start of this building work is further progress towards that being achieved.”
Over the last two years, Causeway Hospital has benefitted from a range of investments including a £1.2m solar roof installation – the largest solar PV (photovoltaic) roof installation in any health and social care setting in Northern Ireland, and one of the largest rooftop installations on the island of Ireland.
Two new ambulatory (same day care) units opened at the hospital earlier this year, which have been instrumental in transforming the delivery of patient care in the local area, reducing attendances at Emergency Departments and reducing the need for admissions to hospital.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:
“I am pleased to see work begin on this new MRI unit at the Causeway. This builds on my commitment to secure better outcomes for patients. The local Causeway community will benefit from better patient care, closer to home.
“HSC medical imaging services are critical to the delivery of effective and efficient clinical pathways. Increasing imaging capacity in the region is a key enabler for transformation and performance across all clinical specialities and delivery of wider strategic programmes, such as the Cancer Strategy and Elective Care Framework.”
Paddy Graffin, Northern Trust Director of Infrastructure, said:
“This will be the first major build on the site since the Causeway Hospital opened in 2002. It’s a really good news story for our Trust and signals our commitment to investing in and enhancing services at the hospital, for the benefit of the local community.
“During the construction period, we will be ensuring any disruption to patients and staff is kept to a minimum. We’d ask people to bear with us while the work is being completed.”