A NEW first of its kind CT scanner has been officially launched at Dorset County Hospital.

The GE Revolution EVO was shown off by hospital staff in the radiology department at a special ceremony.

The high specification scanner was purchased by The Dorset Health Trust, which wished to provide patients with a more enhanced scanning service.

The £600,000 piece of equipment will provide high resolution, ultra-low dose CT imaging, complementing the hospital’s existing GE Light Speed scanner.

The new scanner will allow further CT developments at the hospital.

This includes CT colonoscopy, which is currently provided in Poole.

Another possible use includes looking at cardiac CT, which will be a joint development with the hospital’s cardiology department.

The hospital recently funded the refurbished accommodation for the scanner and it is hoped the scanner will allow hospital staff to offer a more effective service.

Sue Tree, radiology manager at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We had to get it finished by the end of May so it was all a bit of a push.

“It’s amazing what can be achieved when everyone works together.

“It’s a big project and we didn’t stop work which was going on in the rest of the department.

“We’re really pleased and excited by having this piece of kit and working with a local health charity has been a pleasure.”

The Dorset Health Trust, which is an independent charity, has had a long history of helping the hospital to improve patient services.

Captain Michael Fulford-Dobson, president of The Dorset Health Trust, said: “The trustees of the Dorset Health Trust, who have supported this hospital in a variety of ways over many years, are delighted to be able to fund this new scanner which will benefit so many local people in this part of the county.”

Patricia Miller, chief executive at Dorset County Hospital, said: “We are extremely grateful for the very generous support of The Dorset Health Trust. This new CT scanner is state-of-the-art technology and will make a huge difference to the service we can offer our patients.”