A pioneering pilot at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust partners with Philips to extend MRI scanner operation into evening hours using remote support technology, dramatically reducing patient waiting times and attendance rates without additional staff on-site.
An innovative pilot scheme by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London suggests that extending the operation of MRI scanners into off-peak evening hours can significantly reduce patient waiting times and improve attendance rates without the need for additional on-site staff. The study, conducted in partnership with technology firm Philips, demonstrated that by running MRI services for 12 to 16 hours per day across five days a week, the trust was able to scan an extra 1,356 patients over a six-month period. This approach also saw a striking fall in missed appointments, or “did not attend” (DNA) rates, which dropped from the typical 5-7% to just 1.1%.
The trust reported that 90% of patients were now receiving their scans within three weeks of referral, marking a considerable improvement in diagnostic wait times. The success of the pilot was largely attributed to the use of Philips’ Radiology Operations Command Centre (ROCC) technology, which enables experienced radiographers to remotely support colleagues on site through live audio, video, and chat functions. This allowed senior specialists to guide junior staff operating the scanners from a distance, optimising workforce allocation without the need for additional personnel physically present with the machines.
By utilising ROCC, the trust was able to “double the number of radiology staff that we can train,” according to Philip Gregory, an imaging practice educator at Imperial. The platform’s unique ability to view and manage multiple scanners across different sites during extended hours also allowed for safer and more efficient training sessions, enhancing staff development alongside expanded patient capacity. Evening scanning sessions were focused on simpler examinations, reserving more complex cases for daytime hours.
Mark Leftwich, managing director of Philips UK and Ireland, highlighted a growing national shortage of diagnostic radiographers, which has contributed to bottlenecks and longer waits for diagnoses within the NHS. He suggested that remote support technology and extended scanning hours could be transformative, potentially paving the way for future 24-hour scanner operations. However, he emphasised the need to prioritise digital infrastructure and workforce support to sustain improvements in care.
While the extension of scanning hours has clear benefits, challenges remain. Dr Stephen Harden, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, noted that increasing the volume of MRI scans also requires more radiologists to interpret the results—a critical bottleneck given the current shortage of nearly 2,000 radiologists in the UK. He stressed that without an increase in trained specialists, faster scanning might not translate to quicker diagnosis and treatment for patients. He urged the government to invest in training more radiologists to prevent delays in delivering scan results.
The pilot ran from January through July 2025 at Imperial’s Community Diagnostic Centre in Wembley, where remote MRI scanning was initiated using the ROCC platform. In its first month, the extended service saw 306 additional patients between 8 pm and midnight, accompanied by very low DNA rates and positive patient feedback regarding appointment availability and staff support. The trial demonstrated the potential for combining advanced digital tools with flexible staffing models to alleviate NHS diagnostic pressures in a cost-effective manner.
This innovative approach not only addresses capacity issues but also offers a pathway to improve workforce training and work-life balance, as staff can provide expert oversight remotely, reducing the need for physical presence during extended hours. If scaled, it could help the NHS meet rising demand for diagnostic imaging and shorten backlog-driven waiting times, while maintaining high standards of care.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1], [2], [4]
- Paragraph 2 – [1], [4], [6]
- Paragraph 3 – [1], [4], [5]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [6]
- Paragraph 5 – [1]
- Paragraph 6 – [1], [3], [7]
- Paragraph 7 – [1], [3], [6]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust dated 26 February 2025, detailing the initiation of a pilot scheme to extend MRI scanning hours and incorporate remote scanning technology. ([imperial.nhs.uk](https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/first-mris-conducted-remotely-at-the-trust-as-part-of-extended-opening-pilot?utm_source=openai)) The Independent article was published on 2 October 2025, indicating a freshness of approximately 7 months. The report includes updated data, such as the reduction in ‘Did Not Attend’ (DNA) rates from 5-7% to 1.1%, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative has been republished across multiple outlets, including Digital Health and HTN Health Tech News, suggesting a high freshness score. ([digitalhealth.net](https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/03/first-mris-conducted-remotely-in-imperial-pilot-to-reduce-wait-times/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Philip Gregory, imaging practice educator at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Mark Leftwich, managing director of Philips UK and Ireland, are consistent across multiple sources, indicating originality. ([imperial.nhs.uk](https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/first-mris-conducted-remotely-at-the-trust-as-part-of-extended-opening-pilot?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet, and is corroborated by official statements from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Philips, both established and reliable organisations.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding the reduction in DNA rates and the extension of MRI scanning hours are plausible and supported by official reports from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. ([imperial.nhs.uk](https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/first-mris-conducted-remotely-at-the-trust-as-part-of-extended-opening-pilot?utm_source=openai)) The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as exact dates and names of individuals involved, which could enhance credibility. The tone and language are consistent with typical corporate communications, suggesting authenticity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a press release from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, detailing a pilot scheme to extend MRI scanning hours and incorporate remote scanning technology. The content is fresh, with the Independent article published approximately 7 months after the original press release. The quotes are consistent across multiple sources, indicating originality. The sources are reliable, including reputable news outlets and official statements from established organisations. While the narrative lacks specific factual anchors, the claims are plausible and supported by official reports. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
Supercharge Your Content Strategy
Feel free to test this content on your social media sites to see whether it works for your community.
