Hospitals trust invests £320k to replace x-ray facilities at Morecambe hospital

The current x-ray facilities have been in place for 19 years and due to the age of the current equipment, there is a large risk of them failing and if that happened, the service would be unable to provide cover for GPs in Morecambe and the surrounding area, the outpatient clinics at QVH or the the walk-in centre at QVH.

During the refurbishment, which starts on Friday and is expected to last until July 6, the general x-ray facilities at QVH will be closed until the new state-of-the-art equipment is fully functional.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust has extended the opening hours of the x-ray facilities at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary to accommodate GP patients.

During this time patients can attend for their x-rays at the RLI Medical Unit One x-ray (open access Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm) or the Centenary Building z-ray (open access Saturday, 9am to 5pm).

The Ultrasound service at QVH will still be available throughout this refurbishment.

Dr Sarah Hauxwell, clinical director for the Core Clinical Services Care Group, said: “This is an exciting investment of £320,000 which will see the current facilities replaced with new state-of-the-art equipment.

“There will be many benefits for patients including shorter waiting times due to improved image quality and a reduction in radiation doses in line with the Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations 2017.

“Even though the x-ray facilities at QVH do not provide an acute service, the trust does recognise that the closure will impact on patients. Unfortunately, there are no other suitable rooms for x-rays to be carried out on the QVH site but we have taken steps to ensure the opening hours of the x-ray facilities at the RLI have been extended to accommodate patients.”