A refurbished cardiac catheter laboratory with the latest equipment has opened at Airedale Hospital.

Changes to the internal structure of the lab, carried out as part of the refurbishment, were completed at the end of last month.

A spokesman for the hospital said the changes would ensure greater privacy and dignity for patients.

She said: “The improvements include a better patient waiting area and toilet facilities.

“There is also a new state-of-the-art X-ray tube which is safer for both the public and staff as it uses flat-plate technology to reduce x-ray dosage. New equipment to measure blood pressure and for ECG monitoring has also been installed.”

The original laboratory opened in 1993, using money donated by people from Keighley and Skipton. In 2002 the facility had a major overhaul with money from the New Opportunities Fund – part of the National Lottery.

Procedures carried out in the facility include coronary angiograms – a test that uses an injection of a liquid dye to make the arteries easily visible on X-rays.

The laboratory is also used for the insertion and replacement of cardiac pacemakers and procedures which involve taking detailed pictures of the heart from the oesophagus.

Paul Cobbold, cardiology manager at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We needed to replace our equipment to make sure our images were as clear as possible to help diagnose people who have coronary artery disease.”