Health Minister opens new £2m MRI scanner unit at Causeway Hospital

L-R Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Dr Eddie Gibson, Consultant Radiologist & Clinical Director;  Lynne McCartney, Director of Surgery and Clinical Services (Interim).

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has officially opened a new state-of-the-art MRI scanner unit at Causeway Hospital, marking a major milestone in diagnostic services for the North Coast.

The investment will significantly increase imaging capacity across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, enabling faster diagnoses and reducing waiting times for thousands of patients each year.

Until now, inpatients requiring an MRI scan at Causeway Hospital were routinely transferred to Antrim Area Hospital — a process that created delays, reduced patient flow, and placed added pressure on the regional system.

“Better outcomes for all” – Health Minister

Welcoming the development, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:

“The expansion of MRI capacity to the Causeway Hospital site will help increase patient flow and drive down waiting lists, ultimately resulting in better outcomes for all.”

He emphasised Causeway Hospital’s continued importance within the Trust’s future plans, noting:

“Causeway Hospital has a very bright future ahead. The Trust’s Strategic Vision, published in March 2024, outlines its commitment to maintaining a 24/7 Emergency Department at Causeway, with further developments planned to ensure the hospital can continue to serve its community and beyond, build services and attract investment.”

The Minister highlighted recent investment totalling more than £5m on the Causeway site over the past year alone.

“Indeed, in the past year alone, there has been a number of investments into the Causeway Hospital site, including £1.8m for urgent and ambulatory care, £1.2m for solar energy and now the enhancement of diagnostic services through the installation of this new state-of-the-art scanner with an investment of approximately £2m.”

A major step toward becoming a regional diagnostic hub

Lynne McCartney, Interim Director for Surgery and Clinical Services with the Northern Trust, said the new scanner represented transformational progress.

“We have always been clear that Causeway is a key part of our acute hospital network and that our ambition is to become an elective and diagnostic hub for the northwest area. With the new MRI now operational, we are a step closer to that goal.”

She added:

“This is transformative for imaging services in our Trust and will be hugely beneficial for patients and staff at the Causeway Hospital and beyond.”

Previously, 655 patients a year were transferred from Causeway to Antrim for MRI scans.

“Before we had the new scanner on site, any patients being treated at the Causeway Hospital that required an MRI had to be transferred to Antrim. This investment allows us to eliminate those transfers and helps us improve the overall service we can provide to patients,” Ms McCartney said.

With the addition of the new scanner, the Northern Trust now operates three MRI scanners across its Causeway and Antrim sites.

“This allows us to increase our overall imaging capacity and provide diagnostic scans to patients in a much timelier way, benefiting patients across Northern Ireland.”

The MRI expansion forms part of the wider Northern Trust Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC) development.

Local political support for the development

TUV Chairman and Causeway Coast and Glens Councillor Allister Kyle also welcomed the opening, calling it a “major boost” for local healthcare.

“I am pleased to welcome the arrival of a brand-new MRI scanner at Causeway Hospital, representing a major boost for healthcare provision across the North Coast.”

Councillor Kyle highlighted the scale of the investment and its impact:

“This £3.07 million investment by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust will significantly improve diagnostic capacity and end the longstanding need for local patients to travel to Antrim Area Hospital for routine MRI scans.”

He said the development was the result of sustained local campaigning.

“For many years I have campaigned for improved services at Causeway Hospital, and I am proud to see this substantial development delivered for our community.”

The new equipment, installed in August 2025, marks a key step in Causeway Hospital’s transformation.

“This new, state-of-the-art scanner means essential diagnostic care will now be provided here at home.”

Councillor Kyle added:

“This scanner represents a major investment in the health and wellbeing of people across the Causeway Coast and Glens. It is a testament to the hard work and vision of Trust staff who continue to push for improved local services.”

With the facility now open, he said Causeway Hospital is well positioned to become a leading diagnostic centre for the North West.

“Access to high-quality services on our doorstep is essential, and I am confident this investment will be followed by further positive progress.”