Arrowe Park's new low-helium MRI scanner should see its first patients from mid-November. The trust says it can scan 15 to 20% more people each day.
Arrowe Park Hospital has a new MRI scanner that should see its first patients from mid-November, and Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) says it will let the team scan 15 to 20% more people each day. The trust says it is the first in the NHS to put this new generation of scanner into clinical use, and that the machine is the first helium-light MRI scanner of its type to be used in patient care anywhere in the NHS.
The scanner is already installed but is not yet in use. Radiographers are completing specialist training on it first.
What the trust says will change
WUTH lists three benefits for patients:
- Shorter waits. Advanced technology speeds up image processing, which the trust says allows the 15 to 20% rise in daily scans while keeping image quality high.
- Safer moves for very ill patients. A specialised patient table means people from intensive care and high dependency units can be moved to and from the scanner more safely and efficiently.
- Far less helium. The scanner uses around 100 times less liquid helium than traditional MRI scanners, which the trust says reduces reliance on a scarce resource and supports NHS environmental goals.
The trust’s announcement does not name the manufacturer, but its delivery picture shows the machine carrying the Siemens Healthineers name and a MAGNETOM Flow.Elite label.
“We look forward to welcoming our first patients”
Paula Quilliam, Principal MRI Radiographer at WUTH, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be the first NHS organisation to use this new scanner in everyday patient care. It will help us see more patients, reduce waiting times and continue providing high-quality diagnostic imaging for our communities. The team has worked hard to prepare for its arrival and we look forward to welcoming our first patients later this month.”
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at WUTH, said:
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing the very best care for our patients. By introducing the latest technology, we can improve access to important diagnostic tests, support our staff and deliver benefits for both patients and the environment. I would like to thank everyone involved in bringing this exciting development to Wirral.”
What it means for you
If you are waiting for an MRI through WUTH, the trust’s promise is quicker access once the scanner is running, but it has not put a number on how far waits will fall. Its announcement gives neither current waiting times nor the cost of the machine, and it does not say whether any appointments already booked will change. For your own appointment, use the details on your appointment letter.
Information stand on 9 November
The announcement comes ahead of World Radiography Day on 8 November, held each year to recognise the role radiographers play in diagnosing and treating patients. WUTH will mark it on Monday 9 November with an information stand in the main foyer at Arrowe Park Hospital, where patients, visitors and staff can learn more about radiography services and careers in the profession.
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