CHRISTMAS came early for staff at BMI The Harbour Hospital in Poole – they are starting the new year with a new imaging suite.

A state of the art MRI scanner, which weighs the same as a double decker bus, was delivered via a 25 ton crane, to the hospital.

It is good news for patients, too – especially those who are claustrophobic.

The new purpose built £2million imaging unit officially opens in mid-February 2014.

The scanner was crane-lifted into the new imaging department just before Christmas by a 15 metre, 25 ton crane.

The Siemens Aera MRI scanner can accommodate a variety of patient sizes and conditions.

Its open appearance also helps to reduce sedation rates and minimise stress for claustrophobic patients.

It will be housed in the former Old Nursery building on St Mary’s Road, which has been renovated both internally and externally.

Executive Director of BMI The Harbour Hospital, Dan Stonell explained: “Together with Alliance Medical, we have invested over £2million in this new state-of-the-art imaging suite. I am delighted that our patients will benefit from the most up-to-date technology available in this field.”

Head of Operations – South for Alliance Medical, Emma Liddle said: “The new MRI scanner at BMI The Harbour Hospital brings a new dimension to scanning patients within the Poole area.

“Patients who suffer from claustrophobia, who have previously not been able to have an MRI, can now be seen by our expert scanning team using a wide bore MRI scanner, whilst also experiencing the highest level of care from the team at BMI The Harbour Hospital.”

Staff are pictured celebrating the arrival of the scanner, which can be seen in the background being crane-lifted into the building.