Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) has received £1.4 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for an additional MRI scanner to support ground-breaking research.
HDFT was one of only 36 NHS organisations in England to receive funding from the NIHR following a recent call for bids to improve access to research studies in smaller hospitals in England, particularly in rural and coastal areas.
The new state-of-the-art scanner will be used for a wide range of research opportunities, but will have a particular focus on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to aid the diagnosis of a number conditions.
HDFT is already leading the way in Imaging AI and has already introduced AI fracture detection software to help speed up the time it takes to diagnose a bone fracture.
At HDFT, AI analyses x-ray images in around 30 seconds and provides an initial interpretation for clinicians who can then prioritise their review if a fracture is detected.
The new MRI scanner will also be used for clinical use when it is not being used for research studies.
Dr Jacqueline Andrews, Medical Director at HDFT and Executive Lead for Research and Innovation welcomed the funding decision and said:
“Many congratulations to the clinical teams who successfully bid for a very significant sum of funding to purchase an additional MRI scanner at HDFT for research purposes.
“As a Trust we are committed to improving our research and innovation infrastructure to ensure that our patients and community in the Harrogate district have the same level of access to clinical trials of leading edge therapies and technologies as patients who may live nearer to a large teaching hospital.
“As well as the new research MRI scanner, we have also invested in a dedicated Clinical Research Facility and a new Innovation Hub at HDFT, and have already seen the benefits with a growth in the number of patients being offered and taking part in research and innovation studies.”
Professor Alison Layton is the Director of Research and Innovation at HDFT and Chair in Dermatology and Clinical Leads Skin Research Centre at Hull York Medical School, University of York.
She said:
“This is a huge achievement by the clinical teams and a very exciting initiative for our Trust.
“It levels up access across the region by allowing us to involve people in our communities in research which is addressing important clinical uncertainties and to build on the expertise in imaging that the team have developed.
“We have already identified opportunities to work with academic partners in York and Leeds and will build on such collaborations to ensure our patients can take advantage of research and innovation opportunities offered through the new MRI scanner.”
Storm Bert brings snow disruption
Painting by local artists unveiled at Harrogate Hospital
Theme revealed for Great Knaresborough Bed Race 2025
Harrogate's North Pole Post Office returns for festive season
Grants still available to improve shop fronts and accessibility in Harrogate
Details revealed for Otley Christmas lights switch on
Harewood House stars in new national Range Rover advert
Molly-Mae Hague spotted at luxury Ripon hotel
Super volunteer clocks up 200 hours of community work at just 14
Harrogate Theatre's Beauty and the Beast set to open next week
Light up a Life service returns to children's hospice
Ripon Food and Gift Fair to return tomorrow
Roads around Ripon market square to reopen following resurfacing
Italian restaurant in Harrogate named among UK's top 100
Trains struck 97 objects in past year – with some items 'deliberately' placed on tracks
Ripon businesses set to host late night shopping event
Harrogate woman with MND creates charity recipe calendar
How Harrogate health and wellbeing services have helped transform lives
Harrogate Food and Drink Festival to return to Ripley for sixth year
New denture clinic opens in Harrogate
