Plans lodged for new MRI scanning unit at hospital

North Devon District Hospital is seeking planning permission to replace its current prefab MRI scanning unit with a purpose-built facility more than three times the size.

The existing facilities do not meet the long term demands at the hospital, which is the most remote mainland acute hospital in England.

Although funding for a new hospital was pushed back by the Government for at least 10 years, it did recently commit to a £30million investment for a new staff accommodation block and to increasing MRI scan capacity.

Many clinical buildings on site are more than 50 years old and there are several bolt-ons and modular or prefabricated units.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has lodged plans for the new MRI building with North Devon Council and says by integrating a new MRI unit within the current hospital it would improve operational efficiency and patient experience.

“It will enhance diagnostic capabilities, improve patient access to essential imaging services and ensure a more seamless integration within the hospital’s infrastructure,” said planning agents Stride Treglown in documents accompanying the application.

The MRI facility will create 248m2 of internal floor space over two-storeys – the existing unit has 77m2.

The proposed works also involve minor alterations to the roof of the link corridor which connects into the existing modular unit on site and will also connect into the new MRI facility.

The planned rebuild of North Devon District Hospital, originally promised for completion by 2030 under the previous Conservative government, will now take place between 2035 and 2038 with costs estimated at £1-1.5billion.

Concerns have been raised about the potential impact this delay may have on patient safety and Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon Ian Roome is continuing his campaign to get a new surgical care unit, estimated at £120m, built ahead of schedule.

He reiterated this during a recent visit to NDDH by health minister Karin Smyth.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also visited the hospital last October and said staff were working in conditions they shouldn’t have to.

The hospital needs triple the amount of operating theatres and eight new intensive care beds to meet capacity and future growth.

Its current theatres are nearing the end of their shelf life.

North Devon Council will decide on the planning application for the MRI facility at a future meeting.