HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn visited Durham's new hospital yesterday to unveil a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

The University Hospital of North Durham, which replaces Dryburn Hospital, opened to patients earlier this month.

Mr Milburn said: "It is important that people realise that what we have here is not just leading in the NHS in this country, but is probably at the leading edge in Europe."

He toured the accident and emergency department and coronary care unit, where he met staff and patients.

The Darlington MP also visited the £6m radiology unit with its digital x-ray system, which replaces films and allows x-rays to be viewed anywhere in the hospital.

Mr Milburn then unveiled North Durham's first MRI scanner, which creates photographic images of a patient's internal organs.

The £1m equipment was bought with money from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund.

Kevin Earley, hospital trust chairman, said: "This is a big day for us, opening one of the most expensive x-ray departments in the country.

"The MRI scanner will cut down the waiting times for patients and make life a lot easier for doctors."

Mr Milburn defended a pay-per-view scheme that charges patients up to £25 a week to watch television in their rooms.

The hospital, which is the first in the region to be privately financed, has a bedside TV and phone system operated by Patientline.