£634k MRI upgrade approved for Antrim Hospital as Causeway car park costs rise
Tuesday 3 November 2026
A £634,000 upgrade to an MRI scanner at Antrim Area Hospital has been approved by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board, while the cost of a separate car park expansion at Causeway Hospital has risen to £824,000 following the discovery of an invasive plant.
The two developments were outlined at a recent Trust board meeting, with members approving improvements to diagnostic imaging equipment at Antrim and considering additional costs associated with creating 90 new parking spaces at the Coleraine hospital.
MRI scanner upgrade approved
Lynne McCartney, interim director of surgery, women’s health and diagnostic services, told board members that the MRI scanner at Antrim Hospital was installed in 2016 and has an expected lifespan of between 10 and 12 years.
A report presented to the board stated that MRI scanners should “ideally be replaced every ten years due to older machines not being able to take new updates”.
Ms McCartney explained that older machines “can’t do updates and the quality of images is not just as good”.
The proposed upgrade is expected to improve image quality, reduce scan times and provide a more reliable backup for outpatient appointments if equipment fails at an acute hospital site.
The report said the upgraded system would provide a “reliable contingency for all out-patient appointments in the event of equipment failure on an acute site”.
Board members approved the recommended option to upgrade the existing imaging system, with funding to be provided by the Department of Health.
The report concluded that the proposal “fully meets the objectives of the proposal within the constraints of the funding available”.
An alternative option to purchase an entirely new MRI scanner, at an estimated cost of £1.2 million, was not pursued.
Invasive weed adds £200k to Causeway Hospital project
Separately, board members were informed that an additional £200,000 is required for a planned car park extension at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, increasing the overall project cost from £624,000 to £824,000.
Paddy Graffin, the Trust’s director of infrastructure, explained that the additional funding was needed after a significant presence of mare’s tail, an invasive plant, was discovered within the proposed construction area.
The development is intended to provide 90 additional parking spaces at the hospital, where existing capacity has struggled to meet demand.
A report to the board stated:
“A significant presence of invasive mare’s tail was identified within the proposed car park works area immediately prior to commencement.”
It warned that the plant’s deep-rooted structure could damage the completed car park if construction proceeded without additional protective measures.
“Due to the invasive nature and deep-root structure of the plant, proceeding with the original construction would result in regrowth through the completed car park surface and kerbing, which would breakdown the surfaces.
“Following consideration of treatment options, it was agreed that the most expedient approach was to develop a revised construction detail incorporating protective/root barrier measures, while adjusting site levels to minimise the amount of excavation and off-site disposal of affected material.”
The report also highlighted the legal requirements associated with disposing of material affected by the plant.
“The excavated mare’s tail falls under the Controlled Waste Regulations NI and there is an obligation to ensure that the waste is transported and disposed of properly.”
Parking pressures at Causeway Hospital
The Northern Trust has previously acknowledged that parking shortages at Causeway Hospital are causing difficulties for patients, visitors and staff.
It stated:
“Currently, there are 843 spaces at Causeway Hospital, however, the car park is often at full capacity, leading to congestion and delays for patients, visitors and staff.”
The planned extension would increase the number of spaces from 843 to 933, providing additional capacity to help ease congestion.
The board report said rising patient and staff numbers had increased pressure on the hospital’s existing parking facilities.
“The hospital has experienced growth in patient numbers and staff over recent years, which has led to a pressing need for additional car parking spaces to accommodate the rising demand.
“The current parking infrastructure is insufficient, causing inconvenience for patients, visitors, and staff, and potentially impacting the hospital’s ability to deliver timely and effective care. Contractor has been appointed and contracts signed.”
The report confirmed that a contractor had been appointed and contracts signed for the project.
The additional expenditure highlights the challenges facing hospital infrastructure improvements, with the Trust seeking to modernise diagnostic services at Antrim while addressing growing demand for parking at Causeway Hospital.
