A new £1.5million MRI scanner was funded for SBCH in February 2020.

The scanner and its pod were funded by a generous legacy donation from Rosemary Gladys Hawkins.

So far the scanner has benefitted 850 patients.

Cathy Walsh, Head of Radiology Services at UHBW, said: “The scanner is a highly specialised piece of equipment that enables us to image the head and joints in new ways, which will better support treatment decisions.

This is the first 3T scanner for adults and it gives us the opportunity to develop new and innovate ways of imaging in a relaxed outpatient environment, which means that some groups of patients can avoid the travel into Bristol city centre for scans.

“We have undertaken a wide range of investigations and hope that the improvement in image quality will lead to a decrease in more invasive investigations.”

Paul Kearney, Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity CEO, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to provide this piece of equipment, providing world-class clinical facilities to the hospital.

“We are extremely grateful to the Hawkins and Heal families for their bequest that will make a huge difference to how patients are treated in South Bristol.”

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