Grimsby Hospital Opens £2 Million MRI Scanner Extension
New GE 1.5 Tesla scanner replaces mobile unit, increasing capacity and patient comfort at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.
By Leah Sutcliffe
••2 min read
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
A new £2 million extension to the MRI facilities at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby is now open, featuring a state-of-the-art GE 1.5 Tesla scanner.
The addition of the new scanner brings the hospital's fleet of permanent MRI scanners to three, replacing the previous mobile scanning facility. The original unit, completed in 2021, already housed two scanners and offered modern changing rooms and recovery areas.
Imaging Senior General Manager, Anita Echlin, highlighted the benefits for patients, stating, “This is a fantastic resource for our patients, providing one comfortable, modern, and relaxing setting for anyone needing to have an MRI.” She added that the new scanners allow for a wider range of specialist scans, reducing the need for patients to travel for services.
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"We’ve now extended that unit to incorporate the third scanner, which is more accessible to patients with mobility issues than the mobile scanner and will help us to improve our workflow by having all the team in one dedicated space."
The new MRI scanner's magnet is reported to be 30,000 times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. The extension has been welcomed by the imaging team, including Deputy Heads of CT and MRI, Benson Sowa and Eve Leggott.
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"Having all three scanners in one place is so much easier for patients. There’s just one place to come and it’s a much nicer environment to be in. It’s also suitable for a wider range of patients – including children and people with mobility issues – who we couldn’t book in for appointments on the mobile scanner – so it gives us much greater flexibility."
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"We can scan around 20 to 25 patients a day on each of our scanners – which each scan ranging from 20 minutes to an hour – so having this third MRI available means we can see around 60 patients a day and will help us to reduce our waiting lists."
Benson Sowa also expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the project for improving facilities for patients in Grimsby.
