The Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda has allocated $500,000 toward Bermuda Hospitals Board's purchase of a new 64-slice CT scanner.

The scanner, which has four times as many detectors as a typical single slice CT scanner, combines unequalled image quality with remarkable speed, according to a BHB statement.

It can produce detailed pictures of any organ in a few seconds and provides sharp, clear, three-dimensional images, including views of blood vessels, in an instant.

The hospital's machine will be the second of its kind on the Island, following the installation of a 64-slice scanner at Premier Dr. Ewart Brown's Brown-Darrell Clinic last year.

Introduction of the 64-slice CT scanner at the hospital will extend over the 2009/10 fiscal year, as it will require renovations in the CT area, along with the addition of a digital image archiving system, needed to manage the vast number of images produced by the new equipment.

Renee Butterfield, manager of the Diagnostic Imaging Department, said in a statement: "Our current eight-slice CT scanner is fine for most applications.

"However, the 64-slice scanner will produce precise diagnostic pictures within five to 10 seconds, enabling us to freeze motion and better define certain disease processes.

"This will allow us to expand current services, such as a CT scan of the heart."

Venetta Symonds, BHB Deputy CEO, said: "The hospital highly values HAB's support. These funds, allocated for the purchase of CT equipment, will help us deliver quality patient care.

"HAB has been a long-serving and generous donor, not only providing the hospitals with financial support, but also providing thousands of hours of service each year through their volunteers."

HAB volunteers assist staff and patients on the wards, at the front desk, in the pharmacy and in other areas at both hospitals. In addition, by operating three retail businesses, the Barn, Pink Café and Gift Shop, HAB raises hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to purchase equipment for BHB.

"Almost 40,000 hours of service were logged in 2008 by HAB volunteers at the hospitals and the Barn.

HAB president Liz Titterton said: "Our volunteers are extremely committed to supporting the hospitals.

"Thanks to their dedication and hard work, we are pleased to donate funds that will go toward the purchase of new CT equipment. We always need new volunteers, however, and would ask anyone who is interested to contact us."

HAB's first payment of $129,360 toward the scanner was provided to BHB this month.

HAB is in need of volunteers and urges anyone over the age of 14 interested in volunteering to contact 236-2488.