The successful construction of a demountable MRI facility has been completed at mobile vehicle and trailer specialists W H Bence Coachworks. The project, commissioned by Siemens Healthcare, will ensure the continuity of MRI services at the Royal Gwent Hospital, part of the Aneurin Bevan Health Board in South Wales, during an imaging department refurbishment project.
The demountable MRI facility has been designed to accommodate the needs of a state-of-the-art MRI system, featuring insulation and a vibration reduction solution to safeguard the sensitive magnet technology. The unit has also been designed to meet necessary infection control standards and clinical medical equipment standards incorporating air conditioning and equipment cooling functionality.
“The versatility of mobile healthcare trailers and vehicles means that NHS Trusts or independent service providers can mobilise imaging services quickly and conveniently across large geographical regions. This can help with providing interim imaging cover during new hospital build or refurbishment projects, or as mobile screening facilities that can take imaging into the community,” states Oliver Brown, Sales Director at W H Bence Coachworks. “This particular demountable MRI project is our first and the first for a British company. Our selection is testimony to our proven track record in working with NHS, independent healthcare providers and equipment manufacturers in the design and build of mobile screening and imaging facilities.”
With W H Bence we are assured detailed project management and bespoke design from its team of specialists. This means we can pass on a quality facility to our customers to maintain MRI imaging services during refurbishment projects, giving peace of mind that patients will not experience delays or lengthy transfers to other hospitals outside of their local area,• states Steve Holmes, National Sales Manager at Siemens Healthcare.
Beyond the structural aspects of the unit, staff using the MRI will benefit from a comfortable working environment with a control room area in which to operate the system. Patients are also provided with a welcoming consultation room on entering the mobile facility, making sure they are at ease whilst outside the usual hospital setting.
The mobile MRI trailer began welcoming patients during April 2010.
