Building work to start on new MRI suite at Western Isles Hospital

Construction work is due to start in January on a MRI suite at Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway.

NHS Western Isles said the new service could be operational next autumn.

MRI scans create pictures of inside the body to help diagnose conditions affecting patients' bones or organs.

A lead radiographer has been appointed to oversee the service, which is aimed at reducing waiting times and speeding up diagnosis for patients.

NHS Western Isles said the building work would be done in phases and involve structural changes inside the hospital to create the new suite in the former day rooms for the Erisort and Clisham wards.

A spokesperson said "every effort" would be made to minimise disruption to patients during construction.