29 August 2017
A new MRI scanner that aims to improve treatment and offer faster and more in-depth information is being installed at the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford. 
The new state-of-the-art scanner, which is being installed on Sunday 3 September as part of a £1.7 million investment, will provide more advanced and higher quality images.
The current MRI scanner at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) will also be replaced later this year while an additional MRI scanner is due to be installed at RSH by the end of March 2018, thanks to generous funding by the League of Friends of the RSH.
Glen Whitehouse, Radiology Centre Manager at SaTH, said: “This is a fantastic investment in our imaging equipment and I am delighted that our patients will benefit from the most up to date technology available in this field.
“The new scanners will provide more advanced and higher quality images, as well as providing an advanced patient experience due to the increased size of the bore and the reduced time patients have to spend on the bed.
“Having this far superior technology at our hospitals will mean we will be able to undertake faster and more detailed examinations of almost any part of the body, the results of which can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been.
“It’s also excellent news for our patients that a third scanner will be installed by the end of the year, as this will increase our capacity, allowing us to see more patients and reduce waiting lists.”
A 230ft crane was used to remove the old scanner at PRH on Sunday 9 July and the same crane will be used to install the new scanner on Sunday 3 September.
Despite the size of the crane needed to remove the scanner, there are plans in place to ensure there is minimal impact across the site during the weekend the scanner is being installed.
From the evening of Friday 1 September until the crane is cleared from the site on Sunday 3 September, around 100 parking spaces in the main public car park at PRH will be unavailable with car parking attendants on hand to provide advice and direct people to alternative parking facilities across the site.
In order to maximise patient safety, a planned move of a very small number of patients from one of the clinical wards has been scheduled for the day of the proposed crane manoeuvres. Affected families will be informed of this temporary move as part of the planning process.
RSH’s replacement scanner will be installed later in the year and be in use by Christmas 2017. The new RSH scanner, which will mean the Trust will have three MRI scanners, will be in use in spring 2018.
Glen added: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused whilst the scanner is installed.
“This is a great investment in imaging equipment at both our hospitals this year and will enhance our service for our patients in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales.”