The island is to get a new MRI scanner thanks to a donation of more than £1 million from the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust (HBNHT).

The new MRI features the latest 3 Tesla technology and is so new that only three hospitals in the UK so far have one of these machines.

HBNHT chairman Terry Groves said: ’The trust, established over 130 years ago, exists precisely to help this kind of future-proofing, sharp end delivery of healthcare, through assisting in buying equipment outside of government’s budget.

’The gift of money to purchase the new MRI has been made possible by the generosity of island residents who have remembered the Trust in their wills. This money is every bit as much their gift as it is the Trust’s.’

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford MHK said: ’This is a truly magnificent investment by the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust. It is a clear vote of confidence in the island’s ongoing commitment to providing the very latest in radiology medicine. ’State-of-the-art technology such as this will ensure that we help prepare this important part of the island’s health service for many of the exciting developments we know will be coming in the months and years to come.

’This investment, and the continuing support that radiology medicine will continue to get from the department, is another step forward in transforming healthcare and growing a health service that is equipped to face the many challenges ahead.’

The new MRI is one element in Noble’s Hospital’s new Manx Diagnostic Imaging Centre, which is due to be fully operational by spring next year. The DHSC is providing the budget for the necessary building works which will transform the area where current MRI and CT scanner is housed into the new centre which will house not only the new MRI but also two new CT scanners.

The CT scanners are currently the subject of a £1.5 million fundraising appeal by two of the island’s cancer charities, Manx Breast Cancer Support Group and Mannin Cancers.

Chairman Julie Stokes said: ’We have had wonderful help so far from people on the island and we hope they will continue to support us and help us to reach our goal.’

* You can read more about how the new MRI scanner and the Manx Diagnostic Imaging Centre will help to transform future healthcare in the island in next week’s Examiner.