A SURGE in demand for scans in East Lancashire Hospitals has lead to more work-friendly appointments being offered.

In the last year, the total number of appointments for scans at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) radiology departments at Blackburn and Burnley increased from 38,536 to 42,191, a difference of 8.7per cent.

CT scan appointments increased by 9.2per cent, MRI scans increased by 5.6per cent, and ultrasound appointments were up by 10.8per cent.

Health chiefs said the increase in demand was due to the drive for early diagnosis. If abnormalities can be detected early, it improves patient management at a reduced cost.

An ELHT spokesperson said: “We are responding to the increasing demand for radiology appointments including ultrasounds, X Rays, CTs and MRIs by offering extra slots for patients out of hours.”

He said patients welcomed appointments outside working hours, and went on: “There is a big demand at present for radiology with appointments up by almost 10 per cent compared to last year. In offering this extended service we are responding to current demand ensuring timely management of our waiting lists.

“We currently offer a routine extended service for MRI operating between 8am and 8pm each weekday and on Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 1pm.

“For x-ray imaging an open access service operates on both the Blackburn and Burnley sites each weekday between 9am and 5pm with an evening service in operation on the Blackburn site up until 7.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday.”