Open MRI scanner (private) - south east England

[Lovemycat2023]

I’m trying to locate a private open MRI scanner for a relative with claustrophobia. Happy to pay (lucky to be able to afford it atm) but haven’t managed to find one outside London. We are in the south east and happy to drive an hour or so so anywhere in Surrey, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire or Bucks would be ok.

Our consultant neurologist was struggling to find one too!

What part of the body needs to be scanned? Essential info to find an appropriate scanner.

I'm assuming head and neck with a neurologist?

I'm being referred to one but can't remember if it's in Poole or Bournemouth if that helps.

Yes, sorry! Brain scan needed.

Hope it goes well! That’s a bit far for us but maybe I can call them up and ask if they have any closer. Assume it’s private?

@Lovemycat2023

Would Harley Street be possible for you?

https://www.alliancemedical.co.uk/scanning-centres/alliance-medical-harley-street

@Lovemycat2023 No, it's actually NHS. I think I'll have a bit of a wait...!

Good luck getting yours sorted.

I’m hoping for one we can drive to, as my relative is struggling with a neurological issue which means they feel unsteady. Otherwise London would be ideal!

I’m familiar with this one- they have a branch in central London and in Birmingham
www.vista-health.co.uk/locations/birmingham?psafe_param=1&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD8fVYqR0xr3iwlYQPalS1Fvzm9xj

@Lovemycat2023

Some MRI scanners seem to be described as 'wide bore' and thus of help to claustrophobic patients, which I hadn't realised.

Would 'wide bore' be acceptable?

https://kims.org.uk/scans-tests/mri-scan/

Thanks for this - I hadn’t heard of these before. Definitely an option.

@Lovemycat2023 the Birmingham Upright Centre I linked to earlier have Open and Upright MRI options. Hopefully suitable for your family member.

With a brain MRI scan though, they put a cage on your head and face. You can't see more than an inch. It's extremely claustrophobic. There is a little mirror so you can apparently see the rest of the room but it's terrible. Would suggest you find out if the cage is mandatory with an open MRI machine, because if it is, you might as well go to a closed one?

Thanks @LastTimeLosingIt . I had a scan for my ear recently and it wasn’t fun but it was short. I kept my eyes shut throughout and concentrated on breathing.

My relative is having a CT to start with, as it’s less enclosed, and then the MRI may or may not be required. It’s a very good point though - thank you.

Did you find somewhere? I’m looking for same thing in same area.

@Bohoj i didn’t I’m afraid. In the end we had a CT scan and that was sufficient to pick up the damage.