Withybush Hospital receives new state-of-the-art MRI scanner

A new state-of-the-art MRI scanner has been installed at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest thanks to a 3.3million pound investment from Welsh Government.

Replacing the hospital’s previous scanner installed in 2007, it will be used for both in-patients and out-patients in quicker scan times, increasing patient footfall.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. It can scan a range of body parts including brain and spinal cord; bones and joints; breasts; heart and blood vessels; internal organs, such as the liver, womb or prostate gland

Lead Superintendent Radiographer at Hywel Dda UHB, Gill Lingwood said: “Patients will benefit from a much better experience, as the magnet is less enclosed, the room has been made a calmer environment for them.

“The capabilities of this new scanner far exceeds our previous equipment with a dramatic improvement in image quality. It has additional advanced software packages which will assist the radiologists to extrapolate more information to aid accurate diagnosis and assist with complex imaging cases.”

The scanner has a noise reduction feature from the magnet as well as an in-magnet entertainment system where patients can watch YouTube whilst receiving their scan.

The scanner will be located in the main hospital, next to the outpatient department.

Consultant Surgeon and Hospital Director of Withybush Hospital, Andrew Burns said: “The scanner that is now in place is an important investment to help us provide faster scans to more patients, in a calmer environment meaning patients will benefit from a better overall experience when receiving their scans. I would like to thank everyone involved in the procurement and installation of this new equipment.”