First up-dated Powys X-ray unit to re-open next week
The X-ray unit at Welshpool’s hospital is due to re-open on Friday January 24 with the units at Ystradgynlais and Llandrindod Wells re-opening a few weeks later.
Work is currently underway to install £1.7m of state-of-the-art X-ray equipment in Powys community hospitals and is on target to be finished in the Spring.
Thanks to Welsh Government funding, Powys Teaching Health Board is installing new X-ray units which produce faster, clearer images than ever before.
As Welshpool reopens, nearby Newtown’s X-ray unit will temporarily close on January 23 at 5pm for the new equipment to be installed there.
As well as providing quicker results and more accurate diagnoses, it will also help to reduce waiting times for X-rays. This in turn will improve access to treatment. The new X-ray machines also use a lower dose of radiation than the existing machines, which in turn reduces the radiation exposure for patients.
The first phase began In November and is seeing new equipment being installed at community hospitals in Ystradgynlais, Llandrindod Wells and Welshpool. While this work is taking place, the X-ray departments in these hospitals are closed and patients who need X-rays are being redirected to another of the health board’s community hospitals.
Claire Madsen, Executive Director for Allied Health Professionals, Health Sciences at Powys Teaching Health Board said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we make these upgrades. Welshpool is due to re-open on January 24 while Ystradgynlais and Llandrindod Wells are due to re-open in mid-February.
“Once the first phase of installations is complete and these three X-ray departments re-open, a second phase of X-ray equipment replacement will begin and this due to be completed by the end of March.”
Ms Madsen added: “I’d also like to remind everyone that although these three X-ray departments are currently closed, that other radiology services in these hospitals - such as ultrasound - will be unaffected during this time and will continue to be available. I should also mention that if you have a minor injury then we continue to encourage you to phone first for clinical advice. Our clinical team will be able to provide advice over the phone to help you access the treatment you need.”
The phone numbers for the hospital based Minor Injury Units are Brecon: 01874 615800, Llandrindod Wells: 01597 828735, Welshpool: 01938 558919 and 558931 and Ystradgynlais: 01639 844777
