New MRI Service officially opens in the Western Isles

Patients across the Western Isles will soon benefit from access to advanced MRI scanning closer to home as NHS Western Isles officially opens its new MRI service today. The first patients will be welcomed to the service on Monday.

The introduction of MRI scanning marks a major milestone for healthcare in the islands, reducing the need for many patients to travel to the mainland for investigations and enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. The new service has been made possible through significant investment in facilities, equipment and workforce, including the recruitment of a dedicated MRI team.

The new facility, named the Eileanan Siar MRI Care Centre, reflects both the location and purpose of the service. The name was inspired by a suggestion from Stornoway Primary School's Class GL4A and was selected following a community naming exercise which attracted 156 submissions from across the Western Isles. Pupils from the class joined today's celebrations and officially cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new centre. 

The service was formally opened during a special ceremony at Western Isles Hospital attended by staff and invited guests. Unfortunately this had to be a small and controlled occasion due to the safety and security aspects of the MRI provision.

Leading the new service is Joanne Adlam, MRI Lead Radiographer, supported by MRI Radiographers Chidiuso Maureen Ifenna-Muokanne and Kes Sinfield-Newman. Together, they bring extensive experience in MRI and diagnostic imaging and have worked closely to prepare the service for launch.

Gillian McCannon, Chair of NHS Western Isles, said: “The opening of the Eileanan Siar MRI Care Centre is a landmark moment for healthcare in the Western Isles. For many years, patients have had to travel away from home to access MRI scanning, often at a difficult and stressful time. The introduction of this service demonstrates our commitment to providing more care locally and improving the experience of patients and families across our islands.

“This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication and collaboration of many people, from those who secured the investment and delivered the project to the staff who will provide the service each day. I am particularly pleased that local schoolchildren have played a role in today's opening and in naming the centre, creating a lasting connection between this important facility and the communities it will serve.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this service a reality. We look forward to seeing the positive difference it will make for patients throughout the Western Isles for many years to come."

Gordon Jamieson, Chief Executive of NHS Western Isles, said: “The introduction of MRI scanning is one of the most significant developments in healthcare services in the Western Isles in recent years. Having access to MRI closer to home will make a real difference for patients and families by reducing travel and improving access to vital diagnostic services.

“Today marks the culmination of significant planning, investment and partnership working, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped make this service a reality. It is particularly fitting that local schoolchildren were able to join us for the official opening and cut the ribbon to mark the start of this exciting new chapter for healthcare in the Western Isles. Their contribution will leave a lasting legacy through the naming of the Eileanan Siar MRI Care Centre, a name that reflects both our island identity and the purpose of this important new service.

“We are also delighted to welcome our dedicated MRI team, whose expertise and commitment will help ensure the service delivers lasting benefits for our communities. We now look forward to welcoming our first patients on Monday and seeing the positive impact this service will have for people across the Western Isles."

MRI Lead Radiographer Joanne Adlam said: “It is very special to be part of a team building a completely new service, and ultimately to see patients benefit from having MRI available much closer to home. Today represents the beginning of a service that will make a real difference for people across the islands. We are excited to welcome our first patients next week and begin delivering this important service locally."

MRI Project Manager Kathleen Macdonald noted: “It has been a real privilege to manage this project and see the Eileanan Siar MRI Care Centre progress from plans on paper to a fully operational service. A huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes, and it is fantastic to see that collective effort now delivering a lasting benefit for patients across our islands.”

The MRI service will provide high-quality diagnostic imaging locally, helping to improve patient experience while supporting more care to be delivered closer to home. MRI scans support the diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of conditions and will significantly enhance local diagnostic capacity for island communities. From Monday, patients will be able to access MRI scans within the Western Isles, reducing the need for mainland travel and supporting faster access to diagnostic investigations.

For further information on the new service, please visit our MRI webpage: www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/our-services/mri/