King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will soon have the most powerful CT scanner in Bermuda, which will reduce radiation exposure and make some operations safer.The 128-slice CT scanner is being bought with some of the $1.6 million donated yesterday by the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda.Other equipment being bought as a result of the donation includes a radiant warmer for the Maternity ward, a ventilator for the Intensive Care Unit, an electro-coagulation machine for dialysis water treatment and four dialysis systems.A statement from the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) said the 128-slice CT scanner will replace the current eight-slice CT scanner. CT scanners are used to diagnose internal soft tissue injuries and illnesses, such as head trauma, strokes and vascular conditions. “The new CT scanner will be the most powerful in Bermuda, enabling additional angiography procedures and virtual colonoscopy,” the statement said. “The equipment enables a 50 percent reduction in radiation dose; less contrast is used, and it offers faster scan times as well as improved overall image quality.”Deputy CEO of the BHB Venetta Symonds said: “I would like to thank the HAB for this very generous donation, and for the work its volunteers undertake every day around the hospital. This donation is especially meaningful for me as I worked as a CT technologist in 1987 when BHB introduced its first ever CT service with a single slice scanner. I know from personal experience how this technology improved our ability to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses back then, and it is amazing to see the introduction of leading edge technology almost 24 years later to benefit Bermuda.“For example, a virtual colonoscopy will eliminate the risks associated with the surgical procedure. It will be a vastly improved and faster experience for patients.”HAB president Dana Goodfellow said seeing the funds raised from the Barn, Pink Cafe and Gift Shop being invested in patient care was a great tribute to the hard work of the HAB’s volunteers in those areas.“We are very pleased to help our hospital keep pace with international standards with the introduction of a 128 CT scanner, and help the other hospital departments improve patient care through the purchase of much-needed equipment,” she said.Renovation work is being planned to accommodate the 128 Slice CT scanner in the existing Diagnostic Imaging Department. The scanner is expected to go live around the end of the year and will be moved to the new hospital facility when it is completed in 2014.