Neath Port Talbot Hospital takes delivery of new MRI scanner

Neath Port Talbot Hospital has taken delivery of a new state-of-the-art scanner that will enhance the diagnostic facilities there.

The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to examine almost any part of the body, including the brain, heart and internal organs.

This impressive piece of kit is housed in a patient-friendly, bright and airy room with a sky-effect ceiling.

Susan Jones, Divisional Manager Hospital Operations, said: “We are delighted to have been able to improve our services for patients in Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

“It’s brand new, state-of–the-art technology, the first of its kind within the health board, requiring less helium to supercool the magnet used to produce diagnostic images.

“It’s the most up to date piece of kit you can get.

“It will be used for all standard diagnostic MRI scans that were done previously on site, but there will also be a specialist focus on cardiac MRI.

“The new MRI scanner will form part of the health board’s plans to scale up diagnostic imaging capacity.”

Mrs Jones said there had been collaborative working with the hospital’s Private Finance Initiative partners to progress this scheme.

Janine Sparkes, Site Lead Radiographer, said: “It’s a wider bore scanner than we had previously so is much more patient-friendly and hopefully patients will feel less claustrophobic.”

Janine said extra staff were needed to maximise the scanners potential.

She said: “We are currently recruiting for additional trained MRI staff to allow us to run extended days on the scanner to increase capacity for our patients.”

Lead image: Janine Sparkes, Site Lead Radiographer, and Rachel Morgan, MRI Superintendent Radiographer at Neath Port Talbot Hospital (Image: Swansea Bay NHS)