STATE of the art technology has now been installed in the Diagnostic Imaging Department at St Mary's Hospital.

Three new Cannon Aplio i600 ultrasound units are available as part of improvements to the ultrasound service at the hospital, funded from the trust's capital investment programme.

The service provides ultrasound scans for all GP, out-patient, in-patient and emergency referrals and sees over 13,000 patients a year.

The new units will ensure the Imaging Department can meet the ever increasing demand.

Debbie Beare, lead sonographer, said: "There has been a steady increase in demand for our service in recent years and we have been fortunate to have the support to help us cope.

"The ultrasound team are proud to provide a high quality service to all of our patients and the combination of a third room we have acquired and these new ultrasound units will enable us to continue with this.”