Two new state-of-the-art CT scanners have been officially opened at Colchester General Hospital following a £1.5million investment.

Sometimes referred to as CAT scans, computerised tomography (CT) scans are carried out by radiographers using x-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body.

The two new machines have replaced CT scanners that went into service in 2004 and 2005.

Richard Evans, chief executive of the Society of Radiographers, cut a ceremonial ribbon to officially open the scanners.

Catherine Pellow, CT manager at the hospital, said: “The technology has made massive advances over the past decade and our previous scanners were effectively out-of-date.

“The new scanners use significantly less radiation and also scan more quickly. For example, a scan of the heart used to take 4-5 seconds but it can now be done in a single heartbeat which results in higher quality images because there is less movement.

“The scanners also have Single Energy Metal Artefact Reduction (SEMAR) software which means we can take better quality images where metal is present, such as in a hip, knee or shoulder replacement.”

The first new scanner went into service in September and the second in November.

A temporary CT scanner, installed to maintain capacity during the change-over, will be taken away at the end of this month.

In 2014/15 25,812 CT scans were carried out at the hospital, compared to just 10,312 in 2007/8.

The CT scanners are available 24/7 for inpatients, for example for those in the Emergency Department after a stroke or car crash. They are also available for outpatients weekdays from 8am-8pm, but the hospital trust plans to extend this to weekends.

So far around 21 radiographers have been given special training in how to use the new scanners, and 10 more will be trained this year. As the new scanners are made by the same manufacturer the additional training has been straightforward, Mrs Pello said.