New MRI Scanner to be Installed at Royal Brisbane Hospital

Queensland continues to lead the way in Australia with its medical imaging technology, through the installation of a new MRI scanner at the new Ned Hanlon Building at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner is the first of three state-of-the-art Seimens systems to be installed across Brisbane, as part of a 10 million dollar project between Queensland Health, The University of Queensland's Centre for Magnetic Resonance, and the Wesley Hospital.

Weighing 5 tonne, the MRI magnet will be lifted by cranes and installed into level 3 of the Ned Hanlon Building, at 9.30am today.

Its major use will be for advanced research studies of senile dementia, stroke, heart disease and Parkinson's disease and is expected to provide clinicians with the most advanced images of neurological and cardiac conditions.

It is the second unit at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, and is expected to be commissioned within a month of installation.

Good vision/picture opportunities will be available to see the MRI system being installed. Media interested in attending are asked to contact Christine Bain, Manager, Marketing and Communications Dept, Royal Brisbane Hospital on 3636 8205 or 0412 557 834.