Terry Waite CBE officially opens West Suffolk Hospital's MRI scanner

19 June 2003

Time:                2pm

Date:                Tuesday, 1st July.

Venue:             West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.

Terry Waite CBE will officially open West Suffolk Hospital's new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner on Tuesday, 1st July.  Media are invited to attend the ceremony.

The state-of-the-art scanner, which cost over £1million, was installed in March. The West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust bought the scanner with money from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund along with support from the Eastern Radiology Development Group.

The Siemens MRI  scanner provides cross-sectional images of the entire body without using x-rays.  It is three times stronger than the 12 year old equipment it replaced, as well as being more spacious.

By using MRI, doctors can get highly refined images of the body's interior without surgery.  By using strong magnets and pulses of radio waves to manipulate the natural magnetic properties in the body. This technique creates better images of organs and soft tissues than other imaging techniques.  MRI is particularly useful for imaging the brain and spine, as well as the soft tissues in joints.

"The new scanner is of great benefit to our patients as it is the imaging method of choice for spine and knee problems," said Claire Moore, Superintendent radiographer. "It is also invaluable in the diagnosis of cancer and the assessment of neurological complaints."

Claire Moore joined the Trust in August 2002.  This is a new post created due to the arrival of the MRI scanner. One other post has also been created, making a full team of four cross-sectional radiographers, led by superintendent Susan Maughn.

 "The Trust is very pleased with our scanner,” said Claire Moore.  “We have managed to reduce our waiting lists, increasing the number and variety of examinations.  Clinicians and Radiologists alike have been very impressed with the quality of scans and most patients have appreciated the calm and friendly atmosphere offered.

“The most significant finding is that patients who have been claustrophobic with the old MRI scanner are commenting on how much more 'patient friendly' the new scanner is and wish to reassure others who are anxious.

“All the staff in the radiology department are very excited about the arrival of our new scanner.  It is an important piece of technology which will help take the West Suffolk Hospital forward into the 21st Century and will benefit all clinical departments within the Trust."