£51m to be spent on new diagnostic equipment for Welsh NHS

More than £51m is being invested to replace older diagnostic imaging equipment across NHS Wales and to speed up waiting times, Health Minister Eluned Morgan has announced.

The upgrading of old technology including MRI and CT scanners will ensure people waiting for scans are seen faster and help to reduce their levels of anxiety and concern, she said.

Hywel Dda health board which covers Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire will receive the biggest portion of money, with over £12m of the £51m package.

Swansea Bay University Health Board received the second highest portion of the funding, being allocated £10.7m.

Cardiff and Value University Health Board will receive £7.7m of funding, to replace MRI and CT scanners and fluoroscopy facilities at University Hospital Llandough.

Fiona Jenkins, Executive Director for Clinical Diagnostics and Therapies, said: “This funding, in addition to an upgrade to our digital imaging equipment at the University Hospital of Wales, will ensure that we have the high quality diagnostic facilities required to provide people with the most efficient services possible, which will play an important role in addressing waiting times that have been impacted by the pandemic.”

Eluned Morgan said that she had brought the funding forward in the face of worldwide shortages of diagnostic equipment caused by soaring demand.

“We are committed to ensuring NHS Wales has the right diagnostic tools and equipment needed to care for people throughout Wales,” she said.

“By ensuring we have facilities fit for the 21st century, we can significantly improve people’s care through earlier and more accurate diagnosis and help reduce the stress and anxiety people experience while waiting for these tests.

“We have a lot of work to do to cut waiting times, but investing in the latest diagnostic technology will help support efforts to recover from the pandemic.”