Written question WQ83525
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What is the Welsh Government doing to support patients who need an open MRI scan in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
NHS Wales does not have open MRI scanners and there are no plans to procure any at this time. These scanners have very low field strength and produce relatively poor image quality with longer scanning times than a modern ‘tunnel’ scanner. This makes them unsuitable for the majority of diagnostic purposes, such as cancer or neurological diagnosis.
Modern tunnel scanners are more patient friendly than earlier models, and have reduced issues with claustrophobia through better design. If someone is anxious about having an MRI scan, the highly-skilled and experienced MRI staff are generally able to alleviate their fears.
On the rare occasion when someone is unable to tolerate an MRI and their diagnostic needs require the use of an open scanner, they can be referred.