ISLANDERS were praised yesterday for the way they supported the appeal to raise money for the MRI scanner. It came from the man whose company donated a substantial part of the £750,000 needed.

‘It is fantastic. What has really been a magnificent achievement has been getting it done so quickly,’ said Roy McGregor, chief executive officer of Credit Suisse Channel Islands, which donated £300,000.

‘I am very impressed with the enthusiasm with which the island has embraced the project.

‘We made the decision to donate the money because we had two anniversaries to celebrate – being on the island for 20 years and the group’s 150th anniversary.

‘So we wanted to celebrate here in particular, thanking Guernsey for its support for the past 20 years.’

The rest of the money was raised through an appeal spearheaded by BBC Guernsey.

Yesterday evening islanders had a chance to see the scanner and the new CT imaging suite at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

The scanner arrived in the island at the end of August and is being installed and tested by Siemens.

‘We have been wanting one of these for a number of years but have been struggling to afford it,’ said Health minister Deputy Peter Roffey.

‘It got to the extent that we were sending hundreds of patients away to Jersey, which was very inconvenient for them.

‘Now they can have the scan here at home rather than having a full day off work or paying a lot towards travel.

‘Having the scanner here will also mean a better diagnosis. It is far more convenient and less traumatic for patients.’

The MRI scanner should be fully operational in October and the CT one will start operations shortly after.

‘The open evening was an opportunity to show the people of Guernsey what has been bought on their behalf,’ said Deputy Roffey. ‘We wouldn’t be able to have people here when the scanner is turned on because it operates using a powerful magnet.’

The room in which the scanner is located has a large photographic seascape of Guernsey on one wall, which is intended to help patients remain calm.

‘We wanted a relaxing environment as possible, the more relaxed we make them the better.

‘People will also be able to bring and listen to their own music, which will be quite interesting.’