First MRIs conducted remotely at the Trust as part of extended opening pilot
The team at Wembley Community Diagnostic Centre have recently launched a pilot to extend MRI scanning hours and incorporate the latest scanning technology.
Following patient engagement, the team can now offer the option to have a scan up until midnight, helping to reduce waiting times and to improve early diagnosis rates.
The pilot, which has proved very promising in its opening month, involves the use of the latest remote scanning technology. This allows the radiographer to operate the MRI remotely through the Radiology Operations Command Centre (ROCC) platform.
This is the first time the technology has been used for this purpose in the NHS and means imaging resources can be managed more effectively and we can support staff to work more flexibly around times that suit patients.
The pilot also provides a potential template for how other services may look to reduce waiting times and increase patient choice.
In its opening month, the extended imaging pilot has seen 306 extra patients between 8PM and midnight. The service has seen low did not attend rates and has received continued positive feedback from patients surveyed about their experience.
The pilot has seen the waiting time of patients attending the extended hours service reducing by over two thirds. Patient feedback has also shown positive comments about the availability of appointments and the kindness of staff at the centre.
Abdifatah Jama, the first NHS radiographer to operate the remote scanning system welcomed the pilot, stating: "I am extremely excited to have been the first NHS MRI Radiographer to use the ROCC remotely. It was a very smooth shift for me and the ROCC system was easy to use, I have not encountered any problems. Constant communication is vital in order to establish nice, easy and safe working environment for everyone.
"This means we can now scan patients till midnight and offer appointments that suit them. It will also reduce the waiting time for patients who would have otherwise had to wait much longer for their scan. It also elevates the pressure from the main sites so that very urgent patients can be seen and scanned promptly."
Philip Gregory, imaging practice educator, and Matthew Buck, MRI modality lead, CDC, stating: “We are really encouraged by the results from the first month of the pilot. We have demonstrated an innovative way to deliver safe and effective MRI imaging services to a patient whilst also providing a flexible working opportunity for our staff.”
The pilot will continue until the end of July 2025 and will inform future decisions around Imaging at the Trust.
