A NEW, £3.5m centre will be officially opened by Assembly Health Minister Edwina Hart at Wrexham Maelor Hospital today (Thursday).

The centre brings together X-ray, ultrasound and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with a new type of combined scanner.

The SPECT/CT scanner – the first of its kind in a clinical radiology department in the UK – has two techniques, radionuclide imaging and CT (computerised tomography) scanning, in one machine.

The X-ray facilities have also been replaced with a fully digital system, making this the first department in North Wales to be equipped in this way.

The department includes a brand new interventional radiology suite, developed to similar standards to regular operating theatres.

Edwina Hart said: “As well making it simpler for patients to get important diagnostic tests and scans, with the new equipment it should speed up diagnosis and ultimately treatment which will improve the health and outcome for patients.

“This Assembly Government investment is helping to modernise the way healthcare is delivered for both patients and staff.”