Hospital consultants have expressed concern that an MRI scanner is not available out of hours in Northern Ireland.

The province is the only part of the United Kingdom where neuro-scientists cannot rely on an MRI scan being available.

MRI uses a strong magnetic field to see what is going on inside the body.

In emergency cases, doctors usually prefer a different kind of scan called a CT but there are some emergencies where an MRI is regarded as better.

If an MRI is not available in an emergency, doctors say they must begin treatment so they make a diagnosis using another kind of scan.

They are of particular help in treating people with cancer, problems in their bone joints or those who have neurological conditions.

Services bought

A spokesman for the Department of Health said it was up to the health boards to decide what service was available out of hours.

The Eastern Health Board said it bought in a range of scanning services for use in emergencies but these did not include MRI.

For many years Northern Ireland has had only a small number of MRI scanners for its population size.

A charity bought one to be installed at the Royal Victoria Hospital, and two scanners are in place at Musgrave Park Hospital, one of which is a small machine which can be used just for knee or elbow joints.

People classed as non-urgent cases often have to wait up to two years for a time slot on a machine.