A new MRI suite has been developed from a disused ambulance bay at St. Margaret’s Hospital, part of The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Essex. Siemens Healthcare managed the turnkey project for the design and build of the suite to utilise valuable space for a recently ordered MAGNETOM ESSENZA MRI. This is the second UK installation of the ESSENZA system.
The design and construction of the building was overseen by Siemens Healthcare, who worked closely throughout the development with specialist pre installation company Genesis Medical and surveyors McNaughts, to ensure it was completed within a 15 week time frame.
“Siemens assisted with the full design and build of the project, managing the construction of a first class MRI suite,” said Liz Mazura, Radiology Business Manager at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. “It’s a wonderful end result, has provided us with far better facilities than we expected at the beginning and will help to significantly reduce patient waiting lists. The new system will also relieve pressure on the Trust’s acute site, enabling them to refer any routine cases to us.”
“Siemens oversaw the whole project from a partnership perspective liaising closely with all construction and project teams involved,” said Reg Green, Project Manager at St. Margaret’s Hospital. “The project has made great use of unused site space to widen the range of services offered.”
The ESSENZA will complement an existing MRI system in place at the Trust, to help expand the Trust’s MRI service capacity. It will be used for all routine non-contrast scanning to enable the acute hospital site to treat more complex and urgent cases.
“Siemens works hard to ensure that all Trust needs are met when it comes to the order and installation of new equipment. We match innovative systems to hospital requirements, enabling patients to receive the most advanced diagnosis available,” said Graham Walker, Regional Sales and Corporate Business Manager at Siemens Healthcare. “This can involve Siemens working closely with Trust estate, facilities and project managers to oversee the development of new buildings.”