The Welsh government is investing £4.8 million Morriston Hospital in Swansea to speed up scanning and diagnosing patients.

CT scanners are vital to diagnosing a wide range of conditions and injuries, as they take multiple x-rays of a person’s body to create 3D images.

A new CT scanner will replace a 14-year old machine, boosting productivity and reducing waiting times for scans, as the new technology will deliver more reliable images more quickly.

Cabinet secretary for health and social care, Jeremy Miles, said: “By replacing outdated equipment with cutting edge technology, we are ensuring the NHS can deliver better outcomes for people and work more efficiently.

“Early and high quality diagnostic imaging can be lifesaving, especially for conditions like cancer.

“This new CT scanner will give clinicians the equipment they need to ensure more people in Swansea get faster and accurate diagnosis to start treatment.”

Service group director at Morriston Hospital, Sue Moore, said: “CT scans are a crucial part of the diagnostic process, helping clinicians to establish what’s going on inside very unwell and injured patients quickly.

“The machines in Morriston Hospital are absolute workhorses, so having the funds to replace the oldest of the two is very welcome. The latest CT scan technology enables patients to be scanned faster and produces images of the highest resolution.”