Second advanced MRI scanner for Charing Cross Hospital

The NHS are installing a new state-of-the-art MRI scanner at Charing Cross Hospital, as a replacement for one of their existing scanners which is 15-years-old. This is the second scanner that has been replaced in the past 12-months (currently three scanners at Charing Cross) and will improve the diagnostic capability, ultimately help reduce waiting times.

In addition to this, there are further plans to replace two further scanners with the latest models, one more at Charing Cross and one at St Mary’s Hospital. These improvements are part of the wider £115m estate investment plan for 2025/26.

Minimising disruption during installation

The preparatory works are set to start on Wednesday 27 August, with the aim of having the new scanner operational in early 2026. To ensure that they are able to maintain MRI capacity during the preparatory works and installation, outpatient MRI care will be provided via mobile MRI scanners at St Mary's and Charing Cross hospitals as well via main scanners at Hammersmith Hospital and Ealing Community Diagnostic Centre for this period. MRI care for acute patients will continue at Charing Cross using one of the existing MRI scanners, which was installed earlier this year.

Benefits of new scanner

The new scanner is the latest generation Philips 'Ambition' model, one of the most advanced scanners available. It offers a much wider range of scans and significantly improved images, which will improve diagnostic capability and allow the ability to tailor scans more closely to patients’ needs. It will also reduce down-time, allowing the hospital to see more patients, and is almost free of helium (a finite resource). The unit is also far more patient friendly in terms of comfort and information with multiple languages catered for with regard to instructions and scan progress.  

Charing Cross Hospital is set to be a reference centre for the model, which will ensure ongoing software updates and training for staff.

Dr Amrish Mehta, consultant radiologist and director of women’s, cardiac, clinical support and sexual health services at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “This will be the second state-of-the-art MRI scanner we’ve replaced in the past twelve months, with two further planned across our hospitals.

“The advanced technology will improve our diagnostic capability and quality significantly. I hope this will both improve the experience for our patients and ultimately help reduce waiting times.

“Huge thank you to the many teams involved in this important project, including everyone helping us maintain MRI capacity during the installation.”