World Class MRI scanner arrives at Wycombe Hospital

The MRI scanner arriving at Wycombe Hospital. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust)

A world class MRI scanner has been delivered to Wycombe Hospital.

A meticulously planned operation saw the scanner, the first of its kind in the UK, arrive by a crane at Wycombe Hospital on Saturday 25th January 2020. The scanner has been provided thanks to the generosity of Scannappeal supporters.

Delivery of the scanner coincides with the fund raising appeal reaching an impressive £1 million.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust chief executive Neil Macdonald said: ‘The generosity from the public to help fund raise for a new state of the art MRI scanner for Wycombe Hospital has been remarkable. The new scanner will make a significant difference to our patients and the services we can offer.‘

Dr Richard Hughes, Clinical Lead BHT Radiology added: ‘We are so lucky to be the first Trust in the UK to have a scanner of this kind. Latest MRI techniques for cancer, stroke, heart, spine and many other conditions will improve diagnosis and reduce the need for invasive procedures.‘

Lisa Trivett, CEO of Scannappeal, said: ‘When we launched the public appeal we knew the target of £1.5 million was ambitious and in order to get the new scanners into our hospitals we needed to work as quickly as possible.

From day one we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our local community, many people already being supporters of Scannappeal but we have also received donations from new donors, businesses, local clubs and groups.

Fund raising doesn’t stop here as stage 2 of the project is to install a second scanner at Stoke Mandeville hospital by the end of this year.‘

In 2018 22,000 MRI scans were carried out at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals. Demand is growing by an estimated 13% annually and the completion of the appeal will future proof services for Buckinghamshire by increasing scanning capacity and capabilities across a wide range of medical investigation needs.

The scanner is expected to be fully operational at Wycombe hospital within the next eight weeks.

Further information on how to support the appeal can be found by visiting the Scannappeal website at www.scannappeal.org.uk.

*Source of article : Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.