A NEW magnetic resonance imaging unit at The Children's Hospital, Westmead will help to reduce waiting times for patients in need of scans.
The unit is the second for the hospital and was officially made operational last month by Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek and her state counterpart, Jillian Skinner.
The machine was bought with $5 million of federal funding. It will provide more timely and accurate diagnosis for patients.
The hospital completes more than 4000 MRI scans a year.
Medical imaging director Ella Onikul said the scanners were used for neurological and musculoskeletal cases. She said the new unit had a lower-strength magnet that was better for cardiac and spinal scans, and for patients who have had devices implanted during surgery.
"There is also no radiation, which is very important when imaging children," Dr Onikul said.
"We are very excited in the sense that it will be a better outcome for the patients, and very grateful that we have a second machine."