Highlighted at the ceremony were the enormous benefits the scanner would bring, particularly for patients who previously had to make the gruelling 100-mile journey to Inverness for the procedure.

Acknowledged, too, was one of the technology's pioneers, the late Professor Allan Cormack, who had Caithness connections. His daughter, Jean Cormack, flew thousands of miles from America for the occasion.

Welcoming staff and guests at Caithness General Hospital, Sheena Craig, general manager for the North Highland Community Health Partnership, said it had taken a long time to get the scanner, some people estimated 13 or 14 years, but it was here now and "up and running".

Mrs Craig went on: "We have treated over 50 patients already, some of whom were emergencies, so I think that indicates how badly needed it was."

She paid tribute to the X-ray and physiotherapy departments who had to work through the upheaval involved in the relocation of the gym and the preparation of the scanning room.

Mrs Craig added: "I am sure that, working through the mess and the noise, they must have must have felt like walking out a few times, but I am sure they will agree that, at the end of the day, it has been worth it."

Speaking at the gathering of medical staff, administrators, patients and guests, Lord-Lieutenant Anne Dunnett flagged up the advantage of having the scanner on the spot.

She said: "Imagine not having to make that 100-mile trip in winter. It is long enough if you are fit, but terrible if you are unwell."

Miss Dunnett went on to congratulate everyone concerned for their huge effort in making the CT scanner a reality and highlighted the Caithness connection.

Professor Cormack's mother, Amelia, was born in Wick and his father, George, in John O'Groats. The professor himself was born in South Africa in 1924.

Miss Dunnett said: "It is due to his skill and that of his colleague that we have what we have today. I wish he could have been here today to see the conclusion to their work. Some 50 people have benefited already from the CT scanner during the past three weeks. That is a great tribute to a great man."

Miss Dunnett then unveiled a plaque naming the Allan Cormack CT suite and invited a person with both professional and personal experience of the trip to Inverness for a CT scan to speak.

Radiography department staff with the new CT scanner.

Paramedic Victor Bain, speaking on behalf of the patients, gave a first-hand account of how he travelled in an ambulance as a patient after taking a stroke four years ago. It left him "profoundly exhausted" and unable to return to work for 18 months. He said he was delighted that the scanner and its valuable diagnostic role was now available locally.

The CT suite was dedicated by Deacon John Craw who said the scanner had been the answer to many people's prayers and added: "We pray for wisdom for those who will use and manage it. May they be blessed with a great sense of understanding."

Professor Cormack's daughter, Jean Cormack, who made a flying visit from her home in Mystic, Connecticut, said she was thrilled to have been present at what had been a special ceremony for her. She added that her father would have been very proud that his research had been recognised in such an appropriate way, particularly in an area where he had family connections.

Professor Cormack, who was physics professor at Tufts University near Boston, died in 1998.

His breakthrough was to devise a mathematical method for measuring different tissue densities within the body and to predict that this could be used in diagnosis. He was a joint winner of the Nobel Prize in 1979.

CT is used in the diagnosis and treatment planning of a wide range of conditions including head injuries, disease in the brain and cancer. The powerful computers in CT scanners can create detailed images of parts of the body which traditional X-ray cannot show.

CT allows radiologists to examine images of soft tissues, inner organs, blood vessels and nerves.

Patients are referred for a CT scan by a consultant. Those who have had a stroke or suffered head trauma would be scanned as emergency cases.

n.donaldson@nosn.co.uk

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