A HAIRDRESSER from Poulton was the first patient to reap the benefits of the new MRI scanner this week.

Cheryl Lawn, pictured with nurse Jane Kilkenny, sustained a knee injury more than 18 months ago which has worsened despite a long history of treatment.

Hopeful that the MRI scan will find out exactly what the problem is, Cheryl said: "Being the first patient is an honour really. The specialist at Lytham Hospital said that they had no idea what the problem was with my knee.

"I play a lot of badminton and like swimming. I think my injury is a combination of my work - standing up all day - and the various sports I like.

"If I had had to go to Preston for the scan, there's a long waiting list because the machine covered all of that area and the Fylde.

"I was told that it would be two to three months at least so this has been much quicker and it's so accurate.

"It's more preferable to an operation and exploratory surgery to find out what the problem is."

Director of funding for the scanner and retired consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, Ramesh Gandhi, added: "It takes about 30 to 40 minutes for the whole process of the scan.

"The scan itself only takes about ten minutes and the rest of the time is for preparing the patient and calibrating the machine.

"It's a dream that has come true quicker than expected and seeing the patients getting the benefit is the one thing all doctors, consultants and surgeons want to see."

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