A new era in health care has been heralded with the start of MRI scanning in Bradford, using the most advanced technology in the world.

Already specialists at Bradford Royal Infirmary have been impressed by the technical detail and clarity of pictures produced by the American-made machine.

Staff are being trained to make best use of the highly-advanced technology in an operation which will be extended later in the year from nine-to-five to round-the-clock for emergency cases.

Superintendent radiographer Stephen Gibbs said the model had been specially chosen for its flexibility, enabling 'extras' to be built in.

The scanner would be used for imaging, virtually from top to toe.

"It is important to be able to look at the kidneys and liver to examine the spread of cancer in patients. Previously it has been difficult to know how effective cancer treatment has been.''

Another key feature is equipment which will enable pictures of the heart to be taken. For imaging to be successful, patients must remain still but the heart is constantly moving.

Thanks to a hi-tech device which will be fitted to the machine, scans will be tied in to the phases of heartbeats, enabling specialists to examine patients with heart problems - a major step forward in Bradford where heart disease is the biggest cause of early death.

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