Clearer and more accurate diagnosis will soon be available to North of England patients as a result of the Newcastle Clinic’s recent investment in a state of the art open MRI scanner.

The first of its kind for private health care in the region, the open architecture scanner at Jesmond-based Newcastle Clinic will be available to private patients and NHS referrals from summer 2010.

MRI scanners are used for a wide variety of

imaging and although the existing technology is current, the investment in this type of MRI scanner will enable the Clinic to offer the service to patients who in the past may not have tolerated the more traditional cylinder shaped “closed environment” of MRI scanners found in most NHS hospitals.

The new open MRI scanner is quieter than traditional scanners and has facilities to listen to relaxing music through headphones during the imaging procedure.

Designed specifically to eradicate the closed environment of a traditional MRI scanner, the open architecture allows patients to have the space of a bed and enables family or friends to stay with them throughout the procedure. It is especially adept at dealing with large patients, children (who may need to be sedated for the procedure) and patients who may be anxious or claustrophobic.

From summer this year a series of seminars are planned to educate the regions medical professionals about the new scanner and its capabilities. The aim of the seminars is to share knowledge of what is available for patients in the North East and educate health care professionals about the benefits of referring patients to the Newcastle Clinic and how the new open MRI will help provide them with more accurate and faster diagnosis.

Managing Director Shaun Fryer said: “We are committed to investing into the Clinic and because of this we are able to offer the patients the best equipment and care. Additional investment in the Clinic also means that we will be able to provide technologies such as ultrasound, dexa and CT scanning over the next few years.”