In recent years, Pinderfields has successfully introduced a number of innovative programmes aimed at reducing the stress and anxiety associated with acute and emergency medicine. From minimising waiting times to making it possible for patients to see a specialist and oncologist on the same day, the approach has been pragmatic and holistic. This is especially important for patients seen in Radiology and it’s the reason why our next major project at Pinderfields is to fund a new generation, 3.0 Tesla MRI (Phillips) scanner as part of the redevelopment of our Radiology Suite.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic technique that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce a precise picture of the part of the body under investigation, has been available since the hospital opened in 2011. The existing 1.5 Tesla machine is used to assist everything from neurosurgical intervention to cancer diagnosis, but its technology and capacity is becoming more and more stretched. Year on year, the Trust has seen demand for MRI scans at Pinderfields increase by as much as 11%. Many of these cases are children, requiring imaging that needs to be completed under general anaesthetic. These are more complex to arrange and currently not suited to the existing scanner’s specification. The result is that at least 100 paediatric cases a year are redirected to either Leeds or Sheffield – and for children and their parents this can be incredibly challenging. This is the reason why I am helping fundraise for a new generation, 3.0 Tesla MRI (Phillips) scanner at Pinderfields..