THE unveiling of two new state-of-the-art CT scanners was a cause for celebration at Colchester General Hospital.

Following an investment of £1.5million, radiographers are now able to carry out computerised scans in a single heartbeat.

The two new machines have replaced the scanners that went into service in 2004 and 2005.

Richard Evans, Chief Executive of the Society of Radiographers, cut the ceremonial ribbon at the unveiling.

He said: “It’s a really great pleasure to be at this event which is about celebration.

“Wherever I go around the country, and sometimes it’s to trusts that have had terrible problems, there is always something amazing going on.

“The patients that come here know they are not getting an inadequate service and the vision of the Trust should be celebrated.

“Saying ‘yes’ to replacing the whole suite is brilliant, and hopefully will lead to much more stability.

“The way technology has developed is extraordinary.”

The new Toshiba scanners use less radiation and produce better images of inside the body.

A scan of the heart used to take five seconds, but it can now be done in a single heartbeat.

Catherine Pellow, CT manager at the hospital, said: “The technology has made massive advances over the past decade and our previous scanners were out of date.

“It’s great to see the patients having a much more relaxed experience.

“These machines have been made a lot safer for them, and they are much quicker, giving better quality images.”