New Titan MRI Scanner installed at Warwick Hospital

A new MRI scanner that aims to improve treatment and offer faster and more in-depth information is being installed at a hospital.

The Titan MRI Scanner is the first of its type to be put in a UK hospital, officials at Warwick Hospital said.

It means improved cancer detection, the ability to see treatment response and scanning bone, cartilage and joints with greater accuracy.

The previous scanner was kept on the hospital car park.

Chris White, Conservative MP for Warwick and Leamington, staff from the Radiology Department where the scanner will be kept and a team from Toshiba who helped start install it witnessed it being lifted by a crane.

Glen Burley, chief executive of the hospital said: "We have invested over £1.5m in this new MRI scanner and I am delighted that our patients will benefit from the most up to date technology available in this field."

The machine uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of the body and consists of a large tube that contains a series of powerful magnets, a spokesman said.

The magnet was lifted into the hospital by the crane where the Toshiba team were waiting to start the installation of the scanner, which has been brought to the hospital from Japan.

It is hoped it will help to reduce patient waiting times.

"Currently the MRI scanner is based on old technology and is located outside the hospital, " the spokesman said.

"By moving the scanner inside the new Radiology Department and updating the technology we will improve the patient's environment and experience.

"The new technology will enable the hospital to meet growing demand for its services, reduce waiting times for patients and provide a more convenient service.

"The Medical Team at Warwick Hospital will be able to perform the latest scans in detection and follow up of cancer imaging together with functional scans to look at response to cancer treatments."