Medway’s MRI service brings scans closer to 116 pacemaker patients

For people with pacemakers in Medway and Swale, an MRI scan no longer always means travelling to another hospital. Medway NHS Foundation Trust reports that 116 patients have used its local service since it began in October 2024.

The pathway brings together MRI, radiology and cardiac specialists, supported by training from device manufacturers and physics experts at Guy’s and St Thomas’. Staff put eligible patients’ pacemakers into MRI-safe mode before scanning, then restore the settings and check the devices afterwards.

These checks matter. NHS guidance says patients must disclose pacemakers and other metal implants before an MRI, which can help diagnose conditions and guide treatment.

The service has limits: extra safety checks and specialist staffing constrain capacity, and some complex cardiac devices still require referral elsewhere. The trust reports shorter waits and journeys but provides no measured comparison.

For the patients already scanned locally, the practical change is clear: access to specialist imaging closer to home, through teams sharing the skills needed to provide it.

Sources

• Medway NHS Foundation Trust — Pacemaker patients now able to access MRI scans closer to home
• NHS — MRI scan