State-of-the-art CT scanner installed at Southend Hospital
It's only the third of its kind in use in the UK
Southend Hospital is one of the first in the country to get a new type of state of the art CT scanner.
It's just the third example in use in the UK - and will mean radiotherapy patients get lower doses of x-rays, which doctors get better quality images for diagnosis.
It replaces an old machine in use at the hospital for the past 13 years.
It's been installed in a room with sky ceiling lights, aimed at helping patients feel relaxed while undergoing scans.
Tichatyeyi Mushinga, team lead for radiotherapy at Southend Hospital, said: "Our new CT scanner gives Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust the very latest in cutting-edge technology, providing excellent image quality at the lowest possible radiation dose to the patient, meaning it is safer for them.
"We are so excited to be able to offer this new machine to our patients. Having better images means patient treatment plans are much quicker to plan and it will be easier to see the difference between soft tissue.
"All of which will help us enhance our patient care."