The Bermuda Hospitals Board has temporarily halted MRI services because of technical challenges.

Terricca Smith, diagnostic imaging manager, said that a problem had arisen with connections between the new MRI scanner and older devices.

“Initial issues with our older support equipment started near the end of May, but we thought they had been resolved,” she said. “This is very frustrating for us, and especially our patients.

“Patients will be rescheduled as soon as we are operational again, and we will put on additional hours for them. Although the MRI scanner itself is new, some of the supporting equipment is not and this is where the issue is.

“The parts and service, however, are covered by the new contract BHB has with its vendor.”

She added that the parts needed to carry out the repair have now arrived on island and an engineer will be flying in this weekend to undertake the repairs.