MRI physics

We support the MRI service for patients at the hospital, and are heavily involved in research. We're the designated magnetic resonance (MR) safety expert for the Trust, and also provide safety advice to other clients, including MRI units on the Isle of Wight, Guernsey, Jersey and Lymington.

We advise on the suitability of specific patients for MRI scanning and maintain the MRI implant database, as well as managing the Trust's MRI safety framework and writing associated policies.

Our clinical work includes setting up, evaluating and optimising new and advanced clinical techniques, and performing quality assurance on MRI scanners to make sure the image quality is as good as possible.

We're also involved in the planning and procurement of new MRI installations, from helping to design the units to specifying the technical capabilities of new scanners.

Working with us

Within the Trust we work very closely with MRI radiographers, radiologists and other clinicians, clinical service managers, and the estates and capital development teams. We liaise closely with Siemens as our radiology managed equipment service provider.

Outside of UHS, we collaborate with researchers in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton, and the wider University (psychology, bioengineering, electronics and computer science, health sciences).

Our work with the University has led to external collaborations with investigators from Oxford, University College London, Karolinska Institute in Stockholm (Sweden), and Glostrup Hospital in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Teaching and training

We're involved in teaching and training for a variety of groups, including

• radiologists in training (FRCR part one)
• radiographer teaching
• STP trainees (imaging with non-ionising radiation rotation)
• University of Southampton undergraduate physics teaching.

We also help supervise medical student projects, MSc students and PhD students.