Installation of Bronglais Hospital’s new MRI scanner is on track to be completed by the end of January next year, it has been confirmed.

But while progress on installing the new scanner is being made, some patients are currently having to travel to Carmarthen for scans as the mobile scanner in place at Bronglais cannot be used by bed-bound patients.

A health board spokesperson confirmed that things were on track for “full commissioning” of the new scanner at the end of January.

While waiting for the new scanner to be put in place, a mobile scanner has been located at Bronglais Hospital.

That has meant that most patients have not needed to transfer elsewhere to have scans, but the health board said that bed-bound patients had been required to travel as they could not get into the mobile scanner.

A spokesperson said: “At present we have a mobile scanner on site which is able to undertake complex scans and save patients travelling to Glangwili, as long as they are mobile.

“We are unable to get patients in to the mobile unit if they are bed-bound.

“The numbers of such patients are small, but they do have to go to Glangwili via ambulance for their scan and are then returned.”

There has been a lengthy wait for the new scanner after delays in the Welsh Government confirming the funding to enable the new scanner to be purchased.

Work is also required at the hospital to strengthen the floor to ensure the scanner can be installed.