MRI Scanner (FOI)

Request

Please can you send me the information to the following questions on MRI scans at Jersey's General Hospital:

A

How many MRI scanners are there at Jersey's General Hospital? 

B

How many times on average is the MRI scanner used per day?

C

How many staff are available to use the machine? 

D

What is the current waiting time for patients referred by their GP or the Hospital for a MRI scan?

E

What is the current waiting time for patients referred through private health care for a MRI scan? 

F

What percentage of time are MRI Scanners used for scans booked through private health care compared to those booked through GP or hospital referrals?

G

What is the cost of running the MRI scanner?

H

What is the cost of a MRI scan booked through private health care? 

I

Please can you give me the answers to questions D and E for 2014, 2015 and 2016? 

Response

A

One 

B

This varies according to the complexity of the examination, on average one examination is undertaken every half hour. The scanner is open Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 8pm and on Saturday between 8.30am and 6pm with some Sunday work. The scanner is closed on public holidays and for preventative maintenance and repairs.

C

A pool of seven radiographers and seven assistants are capable of running the machine in teams to comply with safety policy. These are funded by a mix of public funds and private income.

Each session is covered by a radiologist providing technical guidance and analysis of the finished studies. There are currently six consultants.

D

Average wait for routine appointment:

• 2014: 14.8 weeks

• 2015: 19.1 weeks

• 2016 (January to November): 16.4 Weeks 

The wait for urgent / emergency scans is according to the clinical indication. These will be dealt with immediately if necessary.

E

Average seven to ten working days.

F

2014: 34.9%

2015: 36.5%

2016 (to October inclusive): 33.8%

G

The total cost of running the MRI scanner is in the region of £1.26 million.

H

This information is not available as the private practice is run by a private company.