Friends of PEH help make MRI scan room more comfortable

MRI SCANS have never been easier or more comfortable at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

Picture By Sophie Rabey. 10-08-21. Launch of the MRI Scanner. The Friends of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital have helped a long way towards making the new MRI space in the Hospital more welcoming, with mood lighting and panels in the ceiling. Chair of The Friends of the PEH Barbara Minta and other committee members were given a demonstration today on how the machine works. L-R Cross Sectional Lead Radiographer Pedro Neves, Committee member Jenny Tasker, Committee member Margaret Lemon, Chairperson of the Friends of PEH Barbara Minta, MRI Lead Radiographer Kat Popplewell, Committee member Wendy Dimelow and Committee member Judith Watson. (29858033)

Friends of the PEH donated more than £14,000 to install skylight panels and mood lighting in the MRI scan room.

The project was completed in December 2020, but an official unveiling was postponed due to the impact of Covid-19.

‘We know that having an MRI scan can be a daunting experience,’ said Alistair Richards, radiology services manager at PEH.

‘Before, it was a very dark and uninviting room. Now with the lighting and other features, people are more accepting of the experience.

‘It helps patients stay calm, it helps them stay still, and that ultimately means we get better scans.’

Mr Richards said the MRI scanner was an incredibly busy piece of medical equipment.

He estimated that approximately 6,500 patients – roughly 10% of Guernsey’s population – receive MRI scans at PEH every year.

‘Claustrophobia is a big deal for people who need to use the MRI machine,’ he added.

‘Up to 5-10% of patients would refuse a scan because of intense claustrophobia. Having skylight panels that show you pictures of nice trees and having nice lighting throughout the procedure helps people stay much calmer during the process.’

Members of the Friends of the PEH charity visited the MRI scan room for a small ribbon cutting ceremony and they watched the machine in action as lead radiographer for cross-sectional imaging, Pedro Neves, went into the machine for an MRI scan of his knee. The scan illustrated to the Friends how the service has improved for patients.

‘I think it’s lovely and great that we could do this,’ said Barbara Minta, chairwoman of the Friends of PEH.

‘It makes life happier and easier for patients that need MRI scans.’

Mrs Minta explained that Friends of PEH raises money each year through the profits it makes from the hospital store and the trolley it operates in the hospital.

The Friends also raised money by selling donated books throughout the hospital. The profits from those services are then given to projects and services that the hospital cannot purchase through normal funding routes.