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Magnetic Resonance Imagers

Question for Department of Health and Social Care

UIN HL4567, tabled on 30 November 2021

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the NHS has invested in multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging scanners in the last three years.

Answered on

17 January 2022

The information requested on the number of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) capable scanners and the investment in such scanners in the last three years is not held centrally.

However, NHS England and NHS Improvement’s national magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) specification includes the capability to perform mpMRI for prostate cancer. A total of 97 MRI machines were purchased through the £200 million equipment replacement programme to this specification from October 2019 to March 2021. NHS trusts are encouraged to adopt the national specification as a minimum requirement when purchasing new MRI equipment.