Any Brits having trouble getting an MRI scan?

After 2 and a half years of waiting, I finally had an MRI scan this week, at Barts Hospital in London, for an investigation into an unrelated condition.  It's a long story as to why it has taken so long, but part of the delay has been a reluctance on the part of MRI departments, even at some of London;s major hospitals, to do a scan on somebody with a pacemaker.

As you know, with a pacemaker we have to be careful about interferences, and even though my pacemaker is "MRI conditioned" I had to have a technician before and after the scan, I think to backup settings and to put the device into a different mode for the scan, then restore everything afterwards. (All went fine with the scan - no ill effects)

A doctor at Barts interviewed me after the scan and said delays are not unusual for pacemaker patients, he thought because of an out-of-date fear of the risks an MRI scan poses.  Current generation devices that are MRI conditioned are far safer of course.  He said it is his goal to promote MRI scans for cardiac device patients.

So if you are in the UK and having difficulty getting a scan done, send me a private message and I will pass on the doctor's contact details.  He may not have a magic wand, but might be able to help.

3 Comments

I am a Brit but not in Uk

by Maverick - 2017-10-22 05:01:50

Worth knowing thanks for that!. I will drop you a line if I should get a pacemaker and be back in the UK.

MRI and pacemakers

by Selwyn - 2017-10-22 11:13:09

My cardiologist has told me that if I need an MRI scan, in spite of the PM not being MRI safe by design, I could have an MRI. 

It is a myth to say that you cannot have an MRI with a pacemaker. Just needs a bit of interdepartmental coordination. 

At present I am averaging one CT scan per month!  ( Since May).  My CT angiogram in May showed a symptom free 90% blockage of the left anterior decending coronary artery. The wait for non urgent  CT in the Merseyside area is about 1 month. Personally, I have never heard of anyone ( until yourself) waiting two and a half years for an MRI, on the NHS. I am sure it is a long story...  More often than not, in the UK, we spend more on our travel plans ( I see you like to travel) , than we do on our health care, where there is always the private scan option, especially in London.  As I do travel around the world, I realise how fortunate we are in the UK to have the NHS. I have just had an atrial fibrillation ablation ( this week) at no expense. I have been in a private room, with en suite facilities, and looked after by staff that are good humoured and caring, freely given dressings to use at home for the wound, all as part of the NHS!

Selwyn

 

MRI

by Robcop - 2017-10-25 06:15:52

hi, had the same problem with my pacer, needed an MRI and it caused mass confusion to the medical team.

comforting to see them making an issue of the pacer, I had to have mine turned off and a crash team on stand by.

Luckily all went well, but it does vary from Hospital to Hospital unfortunately   

Even an X ray is a long drawn out affair but not complaining it reassures me that every precaution is being taken.

The odd thing is mine is MRI and XRay safe my cardiologist has now issued a letter into my medical notes for any future scans to this effect.

good wishes Robocop.

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