Official opening of the new Cardiac MRI Scanner

Today the South Cleveland Heart Fund and staff from the James Cook University Hospital and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust gathered to mark the official opening of the new state-of-the-art scanner following our £1m appeal.

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of countless donors and volunteers the target was reached in an incredible 18 months, enabling the upgrade of the existing cardiac scanner and the installation of a brand new high powered 3T scanner.

The increase in capacity frees up scanning time to enable an extended cardiothoracic service to patients on the newly upgraded machine.

The cardiac scanner produces top level imaging, enabling cardiac consultants across the North and South Tees to carry out a full Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging service for patients.

Siobhan McArdle, chief executive of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, presented Adrian Davies, chairman of South Cleveland Heart Fund, with a framed photograph marking the end of the appeal, as a special ‘Thank You’ gift.

Adrian Davies said the support of the public has been fantastic in helping to reach the £1m target.

"It’s a fantastic day for South Cleveland Heart Fund, now it’s all come to fruition in collaboration with the Trust in the form of this fantastic 3T machine and the newly upgraded cardiac scanner,” he said.

"The £1m was raised in just eighteen months through various initiatives including a Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club draw and The Teesside Gazette Help Save A Life Appeal.

"Donations were also received from grateful patients and then you have the ripple effect of more donations coming in.

"I’m very proud and delighted that our appeal has helped ensure CMR imaging remains at the highest level at The James Cook University Hospital.”

He added this will ensure the hospital can continue to attract "the best consultants” in the long term, by ensuring it remains at the "leading edge” of advances in diagnostic technology.

Dr Neil Maredia, consultant cardiologist at The James Cook University Hospital, said: "The £1m appeal has enabled us to install this completely new scanner and upgrade the existing cardio scanner.

"We’re using them to provide a wide range of cardiac and general MRI scanning for patients from Teesside and the wider region. We’re providing more scans than we previously did and we’re able to offer scans to a greater breadth of patients than we previously could.”

Dr Michael Stewart, a consultant cardiologist and Medical Director for the Specialist Care Centre at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust added: "The cardiothoracic unit at James Cook is acknowledged to be one of the best units in the country and is very much at the leading edge of heart and lung treatment.

"We’re incredibly lucky to have the support of South Cleveland Heart Fund which has, over the years, helped us to build and strengthen that reputation by ensuring we have the latest access to technology which, in turn, has enabled us to broaden our research studies.”