Shaun Wooller Daily Mail Health Correspondent

Published: October 17, 2021, 19:00 EST | Updated: October 18, 2021, 03:40 EST

A shocking audit revealed that scanners and X-ray machines that have been in use for decades may hinder efforts to resolve the record-breaking NHS waiting list.

Experts say that a severe shortage of personnel to operate equipment and interpret results also poses risks to patients.

Officials recommend that CT and MRI scanners be replaced every ten years to ensure that they continue to operate reliably and produce clear images. However, 27.1% of health trust institutions in England have at least one CT scanner over 10 years old, and 34.5% of institutions have at least one MRI at this age.

In response to requests for freedom of information, the Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust in London has the oldest MRI scanner, which is 21 years old. A CT scanner from the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust has been in use for 16 years, while the NHS Trust at St George's University Hospital in South London has an X-ray machine purchased 44 years ago.

Officials recommend that CT and MRI scanners be replaced every ten years to ensure that they continue to operate reliably and produce clear images. However, 27.1% of health trust institutions in England have at least one CT scanner more than 10 years old, and 34.5% of institutions have at least one MRI at this age (stock image)

At the same time, the ranking shows that the number of scanners in the UK is the lowest in developed countries. The number of CT scanners per capita in Germany is four times that of Germany, and the number of MRI scanners is five times that of Germany.

The cost of an MRI scanner is approximately £1 million, a CT is £900,000, and an X-ray machine is £160,000. In total, the NHS in the United Kingdom has approximately 3,000 X-ray machines, 516 CT scanners and 425 MRI scanners.

Dr. Julian Elford of the Royal College of Radiologists also emphasized that the NHS is short of 2,000 radiologists, adding: “There is no doubt that the UK urgently needs to upgrade its imaging equipment. CT and MRI machines started ten years later. Technically obsolete.

At the same time, the ranking shows that the number of scanners in the UK is the lowest in developed countries. The number of CT scanners per capita in Germany has increased fourfold, and the number of MRI scanners has increased fivefold (stock image)

'Older kits often fail, are slower, and produce poorer image quality, so upgrades are crucial. 'Emlyn Samuel of Cancer Research UK said: “Early diagnosis of cancer can provide patients with the best chance of survival, so it is frustrating to see how far behind the UK is in terms of diagnostic equipment.”

According to the Dispatches report on Channel 4, the coroner has repeatedly expressed concerns about the shortage of radiology staff and scanners, and mentioned this in 48 reports on the prevention of future deaths between 2016 and 2021.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive officer of NHS Providers, who represents the NHS Trust, said: “Replacement or upgrade of aging scanners and other equipment will help the trust make significant progress on the hospital’s waiting list and improve its diagnostic capabilities.”

Saffron Cordery, deputy CEO of NHS Providers (pictured), who represents the NHS Trust, said: “Replacement or upgrade of aging scanners and other equipment will help the trust make significant progress on the hospital’s waiting list and improve its diagnostic capabilities.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Care insisted: “In the past two years, we have supported the NHS to replace diagnostic equipment with 525 million pounds, and recently established 40 new one-stop diagnostic centers in the community to provide 2.8 patient data Millions of scans. 

Applause: Is the NHS broken? – The schedule will be displayed on Channel 4 at 8 o'clock tonight.

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