Wembley Community Diagnostic Centre has launched a pilot to extend the active hours for its MRI scanners through the use of remote scanning technology.
Through the use of a Radiology Operations Command Centre (ROCC), radiographers at the Wembley CDC – part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – are able to operate MRI machines remotely.
Doing so has allowed the radiography team to offer the option to have a scan until as late as midnight, helping to reduce waiting times and to improve early diagnosis rates.
Working flexibly
ROCC functions by providing a virtualised imaging support solution that smoothly connects imaging experts in a command center/workspace with technologists at scan locations across their organisation. By expanding access to imaging across more locations during more convenient hours, radiology departments can help meet patient demand and increase capacity and throughput without exceeding labour resource limits.
This is the first time the technology has been used for this purpose in the NHS, the Wembley CDC said, and means imaging can be managed more effectively while supporting staff to work more flexibly around times that suit patients.
In its opening month, the pilot has allowed 306 extra patients to be seen between 8pm and midnight, received continual positive feedback and had very high attendance rates throughout.
Patient waiting times while attending the extended hours service has been reduced by over two thirds compared to normal operating hours, and patient feedback has emphasised the benefits of availability of appointments and the kindness of staff at the centre.
Alleviating pressure
Abdifatah Jama, the first NHS radiographer to operate the remote scanning system, welcomed the pilot.
She said: "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 a 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, said: “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 also provide a potential template for how other services may look to reduce waiting times and increase patient choice. It will continue until the end of July 2025 and will inform future decisions around imaging at the trust.
(Image: Wembley Community Diagnostic Centre radiography team, via Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust)