Work in progress for Welshpool’s new x-ray facility

Work to install £1.7m of state-of-the-art X-ray equipment in three Powys hospitals, including Welshpool, is now underway 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. This will improve diagnostics for the people of Powys.

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 first phase began last month 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 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: “We thank you for your patience while we carry out these upgrades but just to remind people that other radiology services in Ystradgynlais, Llandrindod Wells and Welshpool such as ultrasound will be unaffected during this time and will continue to be available.”

As well as improved quality and speed, the new X-ray machines use a lower dose of radiation than the existing machines, which in turn reduces the radiation exposure for patients.

Once the first phase of installations is complete next month and these three X-ray departments re-open, a second phase of X-ray equipment replacement will begin and due to be completed by the end of March.

Ms Madsen added: “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 Welshpool’s Minor Injury Unit is 01938 558919.