HYWEL Dda Health Board has applied for additional Welsh Government funding after it emerged that the cost of a new MRI scanner for Bronglais Hospital has more than doubled.

The health board was awarded funding of £2.225m from the Welsh Government in August 2016, but iss­ues around finding a suitable location for the scanner meant that work was required at the hospital.

That led to a delay while work was carried out, but the cost of work to be able to house the scanner and an increase in the cost of the MRI scanner itself means the health board has had to apply for additional Welsh Government funding of more than £2.5m to be able to go ahead with providing the new equipment.

A health board spokesperson said: “Welsh Government announced funding of £2.225m to replace the MRI scanner in August 2016.

“Since that time, we have been working on the scheme design and delivery timeframe, given the complexities of replacing the scanner in the context of a difficult operational environment.

“The replacement scanner remains a key priority for the health board."

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