NNUH replacement MRI and CT scanner replacement scheme nears completion

One of the biggest equipment replacement programmes at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is taking another step to completion this week with a second new magnetic scanner going live.

The £8m project replacing vital imaging equipment will see the change-out of four MRI scanners and a CT scanner. A new CT scanner has also been added in the Radiology department to enable the replacement of the existing CT scanner, before providing increased capacity for inpatient areas.

Then the upgrading of the two remaining MRI systems, towards the end of the year, will put NNUH at the forefront of MRI imaging.

The new MRI scanner offers ground breaking technology and improved patient comfort, with the latest techniques, allowing for improved image quality in a shorter scan time.

And first to benefit was 32-year-old patient Alice Drewitt, from Costessey who has had a series of MR and CT scans at the trust.

Alice said: “It was really exciting being the first patient to go into the new scanner and to be part of history for the N&N radiology department.

“ It is a very impressive piece of equipment. It looks really whizzy, dizzy. It was not as terrifyingly noisy as the old scanners and the beep in between scans was a nice touch because I knew when I could move.”

Alice added: “It is reassuring to see crisp white, very modern looking equipment; it gives you a sense of confidence and the team seemed really impressed with it too.

“Actually they are a lovely team; they really put me at ease as they know some of the challenges I have and they create a really relaxed atmosphere which is important because having a scan is not the nicest experience.”

NNUH Deputy MRI Lead Radiographer Dave Hewson, said: “This is very exciting for us; we are very pleased. New software will facilitate some body imaging to be performed without the patient having to repeatedly hold their breath, which will allow for a wider range of patients to successfully undergo these examinations.”

The replacement scheme has been made possible with ‘Aged Assets’ government funding that was announced in 2019, as well as benefiting from Adapt and Adopt Covid-19 funding.

Work replacing the equipment began last November with the reconfiguration of the Radiology department at NNUH to allow for the integration of the new CT scanner and the replacement of a MRI scanner at Cromer and District Hospital.

The MRI and CT machines that are due to be replaced are more than 13-years-old and the replacement programme will be completed over the coming months.  The new equipment will provide a number of benefits, including improved quality of imaging, patient safety improvements, efficiencies, and improved patient and staff experience.

Dr Rayhaan Rahaman, NNUH Chief of Imaging, said: “This significant investment will make a huge difference to patient care with improved imaging and reliability, which will also benefit the Trust with research and training. Having the latest state-of-the-art scanners will help the Trust to recruit and train future radiographers who provide a vital role to help diagnose cancer and a host of other conditions.”

Additional mobile scanners will be used at NNUH, when required, to maintain scanning capacity during the works.