Brighton & Hove has a number of developments in the pipeline that could boost the existing fledgling health & life sciences sector along the track. The imminent £420m redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital into a regional trauma centre [see earlier story] and the success of the Brighton & Sussex Medical School are significant achievements.The smaller but by no means insignificant investment by Spire Healthcare Group at the old Hanningtons Depository in Davigdor Road [see earlier story] is a welcome addition to the city's overall offer. 

Manufactured in Germany, the two machines installed at Montefiore Hospital last week, a five tonne MRI scanner and a two tonne CT scanner, are among the most sophisticated models in the world.

Jo Bond, the Diagnostics Manager at the Montefiore Hospital who was on site during the delivery of the scanners, said, “This is a very exciting part of the development of the hospital as these two pieces of equipment will mean that we will have superb facilities for diagnoses.

“MRI and CT scanners have become a crucial part of the patient’s care because they provide accurate and sophisticated information enabling the doctors to have a better understanding of the whole picture”.

“We aim to deliver an exemplary level of patient care at our hospital and the Diagnostic Suite will play a key role in this. There will be no need for our patients to have to wait for an appointment or go to a different venue for their scans – everything will be done on site. Once the scans have been carried out, they will be able to see their consultant to discuss the next steps – be it treatment or reassurance that there is nothing seriously wrong.”

The Montefiore Hospital is located on Montefiore Road in Hove. It is scheduled to open on October 29. It is part of the Spire Healthcare Group of hospitals.