Exciting new era for Causeway Hospital as MRI scanner arrives

Causeway Hospital is celebrating the delivery of its MRI scanner - marking an exciting new era for the site.

As staff prepare to welcome their first patients to the unit from next month, the arrival of the state-of-the-art equipment represents a significant step forward for the hospital.

Lynne McCartney, Interim Director for Surgery and Clinical Services with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, said: “This is a momentous day for our patients and staff at Causeway Hospital, as well as the wider area. With access to advanced diagnostics on site for the very first time, our inpatients will no longer have to be transported to Antrim for scans, which will make a huge difference to their care experience.

“We have always been very clear about our commitment to Causeway, setting out a vision for the its strategic future as a key part of our acute hospital network with an ambition to become an elective and diagnostic hub for the north west area. Having an MRI scanner at the hospital is a game-changer for us as we work towards this goal. 

“This investment signals our confidence in Causeway Hospital and we hope this is shared by the local community as we look forward to realising its benefits for everyone in the Causeway locality and beyond.”

The Northern Trust’s Project Manager Kevin McDevitt added: “Reaching this stage of the development has been a real team effort, with Estates working closely with our clinical colleagues from initial planning stages through to construction and delivery before we become fully operational. 

“It’s a hugely exciting time for Causeway Hospital following on from other recent investment projects and we’re very proud to have played our part in this.”

In recent years, two new ambulatory (same day care) units have opened at the hospital, which have been instrumental in transforming the delivery of patient care, providing treatment without the need for hospital admission and reducing attendances at Emergency Departments.

A major solar roof installation has also been completed – the largest of its kind in any health and social care setting in Northern Ireland, and one of the largest on the island of Ireland.