Wansbeck MRI Centre is operated by InHealth and is based within the Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington Northumberland. A purpose-built unit as part of the local NHS trust contract from 2004, the service began scanning patients in October 2008, with an official opening in January 2009. The unit is an extension of the nearby Trust Radiology department/Outpatient areas. MRI Diagnostic services are provided for a local NHS trust, CCG patients and for private referral patients. Open 7 days a week, Monday to Sunday, the site aims to meet the needs of the ever-increasing demand for MRI services in the area and whilst doing so, deliver a safe, high quality/value for money, effective, patient focussed service to all service users.

In September 2016, the unit was refurbished, and a replacement scanner was installed (Siemens Magnetom Aera 1.5T). The new MRI scanner brought with it an associated improvement in technology and enabled more patients to be scanned per hour compared to the capacity of the previous older GE model. With more advanced software and wider bore scanner than the previous GE scanner, patients who had previously used the services have commented on an improved experience and environment. It is anticipated that the scanner will be due for replacement in 8-10 years. The collaborative nature of the partnership with Local NHS trust, CCG and other users means that the unit flexes to meet the demands of the service so that demand from the referring clinicians for all MRI scanning specialites, scans such as cardiac MRI, are met in line with contractual requirements.

We inspected this service using our comprehensive inspection methodology for diagnostic imaging services. We carried out the announced part of the inspection on 12 December 2018.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we ask the same five questions of all services: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs, and well-led? Where we have a legal duty to do so we rate services’ performance against each key question as outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Throughout the inspection, we took account of what people told us and how the provider understood and complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Services we rate

Our rating of this hospital/service stayed the same. We rated it as Good overall.

We found good practice in relation to patient care:

• All staff mandatory and safeguarding training was up to date.

• All relevant MRI equipment was labelled in line with Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommendations being labelled MR safe.

• The scanning room had appropriate warning signs displayed.

• In the event of unexpected urgent clinical finding there was a clear process to follow.

• There was a structured post graduate development programme.

• All MRI staff had a current staff appraisal.

• There was positive patient feedback about the service.

• Staff demonstrated an understanding of their patients, and patient dignity was maintained.

• Patients were given choices around their appointment times which were discussed at the point of booking.

• Patients were provided with specific information if they were going to have a specialist MRI scan.

• Referrals were prioritised by clinical urgency.

• The management team were described as approachable, open and honest.

• The service had a Clinical Governance Framework with links and representation on the local NHS trust meetings.

• Risks were assessed, recorded and where applicable recorded on the risk register and escalated to senior managers.

We found the following areas of outstanding practice:

• Numbers of patients referred with claustrophobia or had a larger girth who had to be referred to an open scanner at another provider had reduced significantly with the installation of the wider bore scanner in September 2016.Staff reassurance and information provided to patients with their appointment had improved patient experiences.

Ellen Armistead

Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (North)

We spoke to six people who had used the service and they told us the procedure had been thoroughly explained and they had been asked for their consent. Comments included, "I was asked to sign a form when I saw my doctor", "I filled in a form with the doctor at the hospital and when I went for the scan, the staff went through all the questions again to make sure I understood".

People were complimentary about the care and support they had received at the centre. They said "I was a bit worried about having a scan but the staff were great. They explained everything and talked to me during the scan", "Brilliant service, went through the whole procedure with me and put me at ease".

The provider had taken had taken reasonable steps to protect people from abuse and to prevent abuse happening.

People told us the staff were caring and supportive. We found that staff received appropriate training and development to deliver care and treatment to an appropriate standard.

The provider had comprehensive policies and procedure in place to deal with complaints and people were given information about making a complaint.

In this report, the name of a registered manager appears who was not in post and not managing the regulatory activities at this location at the time of the inspection. Their name appears because they were still a registered manager on our register at the time.

We spoke to six people who had used the service and they told us the procedure had been thoroughly explained and their privacy and dignity had been respected. Comments included,"I think my privacy was well respected," "They definitely gave me as much privacy as possible" and "They showed me the changing room and I was given a gown to wear."

People were complimentary about the care and support they had received at the centre. They said, "The member of staff explained every thoroughly," "The girl I saw before I went into the scanner was so lovely, really friendly and reassuring," and "The radiographer kept telling what he was doing and everything was thoroughly explained."

We saw evidence that appropriate equipment was provided to meet people's needs and this was adequately serviced and maintained.

People told us the staff were caring and supportive. We found that staff received appropriate training and development to deliver care and treatment to an appropriate standard.

There were leaflets and information provided in the reception area to inform people about the complaints procedure. The people we spoke with confirmed they were satisfied with the service and had no complaints.