Tameside Hospital unveils new, children’s MRI scanner

Tameside Hospital has officially opened its newly refurbished MRI scanner suite following a 16-week transformation designed to make scans more comfortable, inclusive and child-friendly.

The £1.5 million upgrade includes an array of new features aimed at reducing anxiety and creating a calmer environment for patients of all ages. Among the most eye-catching additions is an immersive entertainment system, which allows staff to project colourful lights, soothing images, and even TV shows or films onto the scanner itself, as well as on an in-room television. The system is expected to make a significant difference for children and patients who may find the experience overwhelming.

At the heart of the suite is the hospital’s GE Signa Artist MRI scanner, which has been enhanced with the latest software and state-of-the-art imaging capabilities. The improvements will support the diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of conditions, from cancer to neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

The revamped suite will serve between 140 and 160 patients each week, including inpatients, outpatients, and those referred through the emergency department. One of the most notable changes is that the hospital can now scan patients who require sedation, an option that was not previously available and is expected to expand access for those who find MRI scans particularly challenging.

Matthew Kilheeney, Radiology Manager at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said the hospital is proud to be among the first in the country to offer such an inclusive and child-friendly scanning environment.

“We are proud that Tameside Hospital is one of the first in the country to become home to an inclusive, child-friendly MRI scanning suite like this,” he said.

“It will be a real game-changer, especially for our young patients and those with additional needs or anxieties.

“Patient experience has remained firmly at the heart of the refurbishment process throughout, and the upgrades will allow us to carry out essential medical tests in a calming and comfortable environment, resulting in a better patient experience all round.”

MRI scanners play a crucial role in modern healthcare by taking detailed images inside the body to diagnose conditions, plan treatment and monitor progress. With its newly enhanced facilities, Tameside Hospital hopes to make these essential tests more accessible, and far less daunting, for the community.