Councillors in Newry have pledged to work alongside NI Electricity to speed up a power upgrade at Daisy Hill hospital.
The £9m voltage boost is crucial for the operation of a newly acquired MRI scanner. Its installation is expected to ease demand on ambulances used for transferring patients to other hospitals for scans.
A commitment was given this week during a special meeting with the NIE transmission project manager, Nigel Crawford and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) to deliver the upgrade earlier than its suggested 2028 deadline.
Read more: NI council chairman speaks out on daughter's A&E wait over two days.
Crotlieve SDLP councillor Declan McAteer said: "There are statistics to show that five ambulances a day can be taken up by patients as there is no operational scanner in Newry, so they have to be taken elsewhere.
"Is there any view to bring forward the completion date on the new voltage before 2028?"
NMDDC chairman, Michael Savage added: "I am a member of the Daisy Hill future group and we have discussed the potential to have the new voltage added in an incremental way for the full capacity to be built up.
"What possible support can be given for this from a grass-roots level in terms of finance and infrastructure?
"We need to sit down together to deliver this as quickly as possible."
An agreement to follow up on the cllrs' request was agreed to by Mr Crawford.
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