Decades-old scanners still being used by the NHS

Health board has X-ray machine in operation that is 27 years old

- BY ANDREW QUINN

NHS medics are being forced to use MRI scanners and X-ray machines that are decades old, raising fears for patient safety.

New figures show one health board is using an MRI scanner which is 15 years old, while one of its X-ray machines is 27 years old.

Experts say hospital machines should be replaced every 10 years, sparking fears patients are being put at risk by the ageing equipment.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has an MRI scanner and CT scanner that are 18 and 19 years old respectively.

In total, Glasgow's health board has six MRI scanners that are more than a decade old, including three more than 15 years old, and 26 X-ray machines that are more than a decade old, including 21 more than 15 years old.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie urged the SNP government to provide funds to replace the old machines.