Wonthaggi Hospital will soon have MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) services available for patients.

The service is the result of a partnership between Bass Coast Health and I-Med Radiology.

From early July, patients will be able to have their MRI scans at the hospital, avoiding lengthy trips to Melbourne and central Gippsland.

The building to house the much-needed MRI machine was recently delivered in modules and these individual modules, weighing 7-13 tonnes, were craned into the Wonthaggi Hospital grounds.

Describing the installation, Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said “the hospital site was busy with engineers, riggers, semi-trailers and a huge crane which hovered over the hospital’s skyline.”

The new MRI shell will be fitted out on-site over the next few weeks.

“The MRI service is an important step forward for Bass Coast Health to ensure state-of-the art diagnostic services are available to our community,” Ms Child said.