A NEW X-ray machine has opened in Minehead Community Hospital ahead of schedule with the first patients already being examined.

The hospital had closed its X-ray department in November and said patients would have to travel to either Taunton or Bridgwater while new equipment was installed, although scans were still being reviewed by staff working in Minehead to reduce pressure on the other departments.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Minehead hospital, did not expect to be ready again until January 6, but the upgrade was completed three weeks ahead of schedule.

The new machine is estimated to scan an average of 25 patients a day, including those cared for on the hospital ward, outpatient and diagnostic clinics, and urgent treatment centre, as well as referrals for scans from local GP practices.

Hospital matron Norma Coombes said: “It is fantastic for the people of Minehead and the surrounding area that our new X-ray machine has opened well ahead of schedule.

“The former X-ray equipment had served the hospital well over many years, but closed at the beginning of November, having reached the end of its usable lifespan.

“This X-ray machine is a much newer model, so it displays much clearer images with better clarity and definition, which greatly helps our colleagues when diagnosing patients.

“We want to thank everybody for their patience while the upgrade took place.”

The old equipment had become unreliable and foundation trust head of imaging Adam Turner said the hospital had experienced a number of breakdowns in recent months.

Minehead Hospital is the designated urgent treatment centre for West Somerset and offers an X-ray service between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.

The hospital offers dozens of other clinics, ranging from contraception to neurology, and also carries out some minor surgery procedures, meaning West Somerset patients can be treated closer to home.