A NEW-LOOK radiology unit at the Friary Community Hospital in Richmond has been officially opened – and has already benefited 81 patients in its first week.

The Friends of The Friary donated £170,000 to fund new, state-of-the-art X-ray equipment at the hospital.

It provides instant digital results and will ensure thousands of patients per year can continue to benefit from the crucial diagnostic service closer to their homes.

During a special celebration event, Margaret Clayson, chairman of the Friends, cut the ribbon to declare the new facility officially open, alongside Rishi Sunak, Tory MP for Richmond.

“We had a very generous legacy left to us last year and decided to use the funds to replace the second hand machine that was transferred from the Friarage Hospital in 1999," she said..

“We now have a state of the art machine which is absolutely wonderful. Using this equipment, X-ray results can be seen by the radiographer straight away and it’s so good that people in Richmond and the Dales can get this service at their local hospital, which is second to none.”