First patient benefits from dedicated cutting edge heart imaging at Wythenshawe

From 11 August, new innovative cardiac imaging services will be available to patients in the North West of England and North Wales thanks to an agreement between the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust and leading medical imaging company Alliance Medical Ltd.

Alliance Medical is the largest pan-European medical imaging company in Europe and the leading provider of imaging services to the NHS. This eight year agreement will see thousands of NHS patients scanned at Wythenshawe Hospital over the lifetime of the contract.

A cardiac MRI scanner provides very high quality images to enable a swift and accurate diagnosis. Cardiac MRI is a relatively new innovation which combines safety and versatility with high quality imaging. Crucially, there are currently only six such dedicated scanners in the UK and none in the North West.

Trust Medical Director Brendon Ryan said: “The cardiac MRI scanner is a fantastic addition to the brand new £20m North West Heart Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital which includes outpatients and diagnostic facilities and an integrated intensive care unit. Patients from across the region now have access to high quality facilities and cutting edge technology”.

Andy Spellman, Regional Director at Alliance Medical, said: “We are delighted that patients from the North West of England and North Wales now have improved cardiac services available at Wythenshawe. Alliance Medical is committed to delivering the best technology and is looking forward to welcoming our first patient.”

The provision of the cardiac MRI scanner has been made possible largely through the assistance of charity New Start. New Start has long been a supporter of the Cardiac MRI Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital and raised considerable funds towards the cost of the scanner.

The Cardiac MRI Centre has been supplied and managed by Alliance Medical, who fitted out the unit, installed the MRI scanner, and shared their experience and expertise in managing the centre. The contract also includes an extensive mid-life upgrade to ensure the scanner remains at the cutting edge of technology.

For further information contact Rachel Blenkinsop at University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust on 0161 291 2030 or Emily Lacey at hanover on 020 74004480.

Notes to editors:

Cardiac MRI

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) is a relatively new technique that combines the important attributes of safety, high resolution, versatility and image quality. It is particularly valuable for a range of conditions such as cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease, and where other diagnostic techniques (e.g. angiography) prove inconclusive.

Cardiac MRI does not use ionising radiation (e.g. X-rays) and has no known side effects; therefore it is the investigation of choice when patients require repeated examinations over long periods (e.g. annual check up scans). As it is non-invasive, minimal after care is needed and patients are usually scanned as out-patients and can leave immediately after the scan is completed.

Cardiac care at Wythenshawe Hospital

Wythenshawe Hospital provides regional specialist cardiac and thoracic surgical services, including cardiopulmonary transplantation to a regional population of 3.2 million people. It has 4 dedicated cardiothoracic theatres which carry out procedures including coronary artery bypass grafts, aortic and mitral valve replacements, mitral valve repairs and major aortic surgery.

Alliance Medical Ltd

Alliance Medical has been appointed by and a contract has been agreed with the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, to provide a cardiac MRI centre under a managed service contract. Alliance Medical Ltd is the largest pan-European medical imaging company in Europe, supporting more than 400 hospitals and clinics in the UK alone.