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Health / MRI scanner suite proving busy

Shetland's MRI scanner. Photo: NHS Shetland

NEARLY 1,300 people have used the local MRI scanner since it launched in June last year.

Shetland received its first MRI scanner last year following a significant fundraising drive.

Local and international fundraising from individuals and businesses generated £2 million, with Scottish Government committing up to £1.6 million in financial capital support.

NHS Shetland’s director of nursing and acute services Professor Kathleen Carolan said celebrating the first anniversary of the MRI suite – which has had 1,286 patients come through its doors to date – was “wonderful”.

“After many years of fundraising, planning for the suite, installing the bespoke modular building, setting up the service, I couldn’t be happier to reach this milestone,” she said.

Professor Carolan continued: “I would like to sincerely thank all those colleagues who have been directly and indirectly involved in establishing the MRI service in Shetland.

“I am enormously proud of what has been achieved, and how staff continue to support and develop the MRI service so that more care can be delivered locally.

“My thanks to the community, for your phenomenal support. We have been delighted to receive such kind and helpful feedback since the service started last summer.”

NHS Shetland said it has received positive feedback from patients and families who have used the Helyer MRI suite.

An event to mark the effort that went into fundraising to buy an MRI scanner was held in October last year.

People previously had to travel to the Scottish mainland for scans before the Lerwick scanner opened.

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