Cromer Hospital receives new MRI scanner

A hospital in Norfolk is to begin using a new MRI scanner on patients on Monday.

The £600,000 machine at Cromer and District Hospital is the first of its kind in the UK, the hospital's trust said.

It uses about 34% less energy than previous models and is much quicker at producing images.

It will be available as an out-patient service for patients living north of Norwich.

Part of a wall had to be removed to allow the six-and-a-half ton magnet to be lowered into place before engineers moved in to commission and test the new machine in readiness for the first patients.

The MRI scanner is housed in the existing radiology unit which will remain in place during and after the redevelopment of the hospital, which began in September.

The new hospital is set to be completed by spring 2012.