Babies and young children are now able to have life-saving hi-tech scans in Bradford to diagnose potentially serious conditions.

The district's £1 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner - bought thanks to the generosity of Telegraph & Argus readers - can now be used for the youngest patients.

Specialist anaesthetic equipment for children has been added to the scanning suite at Bradford Royal Infirmary, at a cost of £45,000.

And since it started work, 33 babies and young children have had diagnostic scans in Bradford instead of having to travel to other hospitals which have the equipment.

A consultant anaesthetist is present at each scanning session where children are anaesthetised. It is important they stay still during the scan and for many youngsters, a general anaesthetic is the only way to achieve that.

Joanne Dale, radiology manager at Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "This equipment has been used for children with potentially serious disorders and conditions, we do a lot of head work with it. There's a real variety of conditions.

"It has proved popular for patients. We are now able to provide the MRI service for all patients in Bradford."

Although it is mainly used for children, the equipment can be used for anaesthetics for adults who are unable to keep still for the required time.

The scanner was bought thanks to the Telegraph & Argus's Millennium Scanner Appeal, which hit its target of an amazing £1 million.

The scanner started work in the district last June, helping diagnosis on a wide range of conditions. By the end of July it had already dealt with 200 people and was officially opened by the then Health Secretary Frank Dobson in September.

With patients having scans in Bradford, rather than having to trek to other hospitals, waiting times were quickly cut from six months to only six weeks.

Linda Pollard, chairman of Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We have always said that the introduction of the MRI scanner was a launch pad for other developments and we are pleased that this important step forward is now in action and opens up the benefits of MRI scanning to a new range of people.

"We want to build up with more developments in the years to come."

The scanner appeal's total stands at £1,024,000 and some money is still coming in - something Mrs Dale said was crucial for keeping the scanner up-to-date and to allow the purchase of extras as technology changed.

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