Paul Strickland Scanner Centre completes major MRI upgrade

Paul Strickland Scanner Centre in Northwood, London, has completed an ambitious upgrade of its MRI service with the installation of the second new MRI scanner in less than a year. The scanners form part of a major upgrade to the centre that will conclude with the installation of a PETCT system.

The two Siemens Healthineers Magnetom Sola 1.5T systems produce higher resolution images than the models they replaced. Faster image acquisition allows the centre to scan more patients, improving access to its award-winning service. In addition, staff will be able to scan more people who have implants such as metal hips. The system has a wide bore, which benefits bariatric patients or those with claustrophobia.

Charitable donations from supporters have played a significant role in financing the upgrade and ceo Claire Strickland expressed her gratitude to those who have supported the charity over the years, and continue to do so. She said: “It’s thanks to donations and money raised by supporters and the public that we have been able to make this level of investment.”

Deputy superintendent for MRI Will McGuire said: “When you put together the better hardware and new software, you are looking at drastic scanning time reduction, with better image quality.”

The Magnetom Sola 1.5T is ideal for whole body MR scans and Paul Strickland Scanner Centre is said to have performed more scans of this type than any other centre in the world. It operates as an independent medical charity and is co-located with Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in London.

Lead picture: Upgrades at Paul Strickland Scanner Centre include another MRI scanner from Siemens Healthineers.

Published on page 2 of the February 2023 issue of RAD Magazine.