NEW "state of the art" x-ray equipment at two community hospitals is to be installed.

It is understood that both Rhyl’s Royal Alexandra and Denbigh Infirmary Community Hospitals will be getting the new equipment. It will take three months before the equipment is operational. Installation work will start on Monday, January 15.

The Journal and Free Press have been informed that hospital bosses still want people in the community to use Denbigh’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU) as normal, even if people have a broken bone or may need an x-ray.

Anyone attending the MIU and needing an x-ray image will be referred through to Glan Clwyd Hospital’s radiography department, bypassing the emergency department and getting a direct appointment.

It is believed that x-ray equipment at the Royal Alexandra and Denbigh is at least 20 years old. The Journal and Free Press have been informed that the upgraded equipment will be easier to use and produce images "more quickly and with better definition, while emitting lower doses of radiation than its predecessors."

It represents a significant investment in both sites and health bosses have moved to make sure there is extra capacity at Glan Clwyd Hospital to cope with the extra demand while they are being installed.

GPs will still be referring to the Royal Alex and Denbigh Infirmary as normal but staff have been redeployed and patients coming from GP referrals will be appointed at times outside of the busy hospital hours, including the beginning and end of working days and at weekends.

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The Journal and Free Press understands patients will be told to use both community hospitals as normal, including the MIU at Denbigh, as they will get seen more quickly than if they attend Glan Clwyd’s emergency department.

According to a source within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), some inpatients from Ruthin and Denbigh may be referred Holywell Community Hospital for x-ray services but the vast majority will be given a priority slot at Glan Clwyd during the extended hours.