A giant crane has arrived at Colchester General Hospital as part of works to build a new regional diagnostic imaging centre.

Ipswich Star: Artist'�s impression of the new diagnostic imaging centre at Colchester General Hospital. Image: CHUFTArtist'�s impression of the new diagnostic imaging centre at Colchester General Hospital. Image: CHUFT (Image: Archant)

The crane, which has a 48-metre jib, arrived today to erect the steel and concrete building frame.

It is due to be on site for six weeks.

Groundbreaking took place last month to mark the formal start of works on the centre, and work is progressing well.

The two-storey centre will include brand new equipment for three specialised diagnostic services and expects to see its first patients in spring next year.

Ipswich Star: Giant crane arrives at Colchester General Hospital as part of building work for a new regional diagnostic imaging centre. Photo: CHUFTGiant crane arrives at Colchester General Hospital as part of building work for a new regional diagnostic imaging centre. Photo: CHUFT (Image: Archant)

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust is working on the development in partnership with Alliance Medical Ltd, which provides the hospital’s current MRI and PET-CT service.

R G Carter is constructing the development.

The centre will be home to MRI and PET scans as well as nuclear medicine services.

Patients from north east Essex will benefit from the new facilities and the PET-CT scanner will be used by patients from the Ipswich and Chelmsford areas.