Official opening of InHealth’s dedicated MRI facility at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Since 2009, InHealth has been providing a first-class MRI service to NHS patients at Kingston Hospital.

Building on this partnership, InHealth were awarded a 15-year contract in 2017 to provide an exclusive, fully managed MRI service with 3 new MRI scanners that would support the growing demand for MRI services in the area and deliver

a flexible and responsive service to maximise patient dignity and privacy.

With a brief to support the Trust in meeting this demand within a compromised physical environment, in 2017, InHealth began the project by refurbishing the Trust’s Bernard Meade Wing – a decommissioned pathology lab that was stripped out and refurbished to support the Trust in temporarily re-locating their Trauma and Orthopaedics department.

The second phase saw the permanent Trauma and Orthopaedics department refurbished, with the team moving in, in October 2018.

And then the third phase – construction of the new InHealth MRI building – a purpose built, 3 storey facility with 2 new Siemens MRI scanners, a 3T Skyra and a 1.5T Aera.

To complete the project, the existing MRI department was refurbished and a new 1.5T Aera installed.

As an InHealth, standalone MRI facility built on the Trust’s grounds, each phase of the project brought an opportunity to deliver innovation and fresh thinking that would make the most of the restricted space available, while integrating and refreshing the existing facilities.

From demolition and ground works, to unforeseen challenges with pipework not known before construction, InHealth worked in partnership with Kingston Hospitals to avoid any disruption to the everyday service, arranging weekend installation and construction so that patient care was unaffected. Through a team of dedicated Project Managers, InHealth liaised with contractors and clinicians to plan every aspect of the complex build to make sure that quality and accessibility of service was prioritised.

Within three months, the Trauma and Orthopaedic department refurbishment was completed in October 2018 and less than a year later, the new MRI facility was ready to welcome patients and deliver a full MRI service.

Today, more than 40 InHealth staff manage the day-to-day operations of the unit, seeing over 70 patients every day – both in and outpatients. In partnership with Kingston Hospitals NHS Trust, we deliver a fantastic patient experience and continue to build on the strong partnership that provides valuable collaboration and learning to ultimately improve patient care and our ability to make healthcare better, now and in the future.

The official opening took place on Tuesday 5th November, with Geoff Searle, InHealth Chief Executive, Linda Mestre, Imaging Services Manager, the InHealth team and representatives from Kingston Hospitals NHS Trust.