In 2021, thanks to donations from local organisations and individuals, The Friends of Conquest Hospital and the League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital {tag them} purchased two new MRI scanners for the new MRI Unit at the Conquest Hospital. These machines have made a massive difference to the types and range of scans available at the hospital. Many of the specialist scans such as Cardiac MRI previously required the patient to travel to specialist hospitals in London for tests that could now be done.
Each year the MRI department manages to increase its throughput including in patients which has gone from 3,516 in 2024 to 4,782 in 2025. Prostate examinations have also risen from 1,601 in 2024 to 2,245 in 2025. This has helped meet the rising demand for MRI scans that increases by around 35% each year according to the department.
In April last year the Trust purchased a new Deep Resolve Package to reduce scanning times on the majority of scans. This improves patient experience for children or claustrophobic patients and improves waiting times.
Quote from Mr Mohamad Faris, Consultant Radiologist
“The main aspect of the invaluable contribution that has been made by The Friends is that we now have the facility to have state of the art MRI scanners that allow accessibility for our local population to have up to date imaging which helps with conditions ranging from back pain and knee pain, which are quite debilitating to many, many people, to cancer diagnoses and really difficult medical issues that need excellent imaging. So I cannot state clearly enough how invaluable the contribution has been, and I do hope the good work of The Friends continues.”
