If you are a patient attending for an MRI scan of your brain, knee, spine, abdomen or any other part of your body, you can rest assured that our open MRI scanner will provide a more comfortable and relaxing environment than a closed MRI scanner. Our services also include X-Ray imaging, Ultrasound and Image Intensifying.
At Newcastle Clinic, we strive to exceed expectations and our high standards have been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (formerly Health Care Commission.) This enables us to receive certification by them, and we have done so since 2004.
Newcastle Clinic is a private hospital and provides private MRI scanning and diagnostic imaging facilities.We also accept NHS referrals for patients who are claustrophobic, of large build, obese, frail or anxious.
The benefits of our open MRI scanner
No enclosed tube so it’s claustrophobic friendly
Suited to large patients
You can have a relative hold your hand throughout
Fast appointments
Less noise than a closed MRI scan
Free parking
Compare an Open MRI Scanner with a Closed MRI Scanner
Traditional MRI Scanner
A traditional MRI scanner, as found in most hospitals, has an opening just 60cm wide and a tube surrounding the whole patient. It leaves very little room for anyone of a larger-than-average build, and the experience of being surrounded by the tube and the loud noise it produces can be very claustrophobic and unnerving.
Open MRI at Newcastle Clinic
The open MRI scanner at Newcastle Clinic is more than double the width of a traditional scanner and as it has no walls, it is completely open for the patient to see everything around them at all times. This provides a much more comfortable experience for patients who may be anxious or claustrophobic. Our open scanner also produces a lot less noise than a traditional MRI scanner and provides a much more relaxing experience.
‘Wide Bore’ MRI Scanner
A ‘wide bore’ MRI scanner is slightly wider than a traditional MRI scanner, with a 72cm-wide opening that allows slightly more space for the patient. These are available in a limited number of hospitals across the UK. However, this is still not wide enough for obese patients and still creates a claustrophobic experience.