Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has inaugurated a new MR scanner suite at its Stepping Hill Hospital, marking an advancement in patient care services.

The suite, equipped with two magnetic resonance (MR) scanners, is set to improve the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s cancer, stroke, and emergency care services.

The introduction of the new scanners is expected to lessen patient waiting times, ensuring that individuals no longer wait more than six weeks for a scan.

This enhancement is partly due to the incorporation of new screen technology that projects images to help patients feel less confined during their scans. This technology was funded by the Stockport NHS Charity.

Previously outsourced, the MR service at the hospital has now been brought back in-house under the management of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust's radiology service.

MR scans are a critical diagnostic tool for a range of conditions, from neurological disorders to cancer detection.

Approximately 11,000 patients annually will benefit from the new scanners, receiving prompt treatment.

The development of the new MR scanner suite spanned approximately two years and involved collaborative efforts from City Build, O'Neil's, AFL Architects, AJP structural engineers, and the Trust's own estates and capital projects teams.

Ribbon-cutting was done by the Trust's CEO Karen James OBE and divisional director Mike Allison.

James said: “It is excellent to see the suite finished, and our radiology teams working with the new scanners to provide a swifter service for our patients. I’d like to thank all our colleagues and partners who have worked so hard to make these enhanced new facilities possible.” 

In March last year, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust had collaborated with IT firm CDW to further improve patient care at Stepping Hill Hospital.