JAY DeMerit and Scott Loach officially opened Watford General's first MRI scanner this afternoon (Tuesday).

The hospital, which is situated next to the Vicarage Road stadium, was previously forced to use the equipment in Hemel Hempstead, but now Watford General has its own scanner. This means that patients, who would have previously had to be transfered via ambulance to another hospital, can be scanned on the premises in Watford.

Jay DeMerit and Scott Loach investigate the new equipment at Watford General

"To have our own independent scanner in Watford is fantastic" said Thomas Hanahoe, Chairman of the hospital trust.

"Scanners are used to show the soft tissue in the body - it works on magnetism and radio waves, taking pictures of the brain, spinal cords and muscles.

"It gives doctors the opportunity to see damage and disease inside the body, rather than like x-rays which just show the bone structure.

"They can highlight problems such as a pulled muscle, which is particularly useful to football players like Jay and Scott and it's really brilliant they are here to open it."

Cutting the ribbon: The Watford captain does the honours

The Hornets captain has had many experiences of the scanners and was pleased to have been involved with the opening on Tuesday afternoon as he told www.watfordfc.com.

"We use MRI scans to assess immediate injuries in the first day or two to determine the extent of the soft tissue injury" DeMerit explained.

"The first thing the medical team at the football club do is undertake an MRI - they are quick and easy and the best way to assess the injury.

"I can't imagine the burden of having to go to Hemel to get a scan when they are so important, so this equipment is definitely a vital addition to Watford General."

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