Sussex NHS trusts included in South East expansion of CT and MRI scanning
Two Sussex NHS trusts are part of a South East drive to speed up cancer diagnosis.
The number of CT and MRI scanners rose by 18 across 11 trusts in the region – between March 2024 and March 2026.
The expansion is intended to help patients get tested sooner for cancer and other serious conditions.
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust were both included in the figures.
Health minister Karin Smyth said: “Getting the right diagnosis and treatment as quickly as possible can make all the difference, particularly for patients with cancer and other serious conditions.”
The South East increase was part of a national net rise of 125 CT and MRI scanners, according to NHS England’s National Imaging Data Collection. Of those, 107 went into community diagnostic centres.
The NHS is also rolling out AI software designed to shorten MRI scans. The government said services using the technology were carrying out 14 per cent more scans on average while maintaining image quality.
Every NHS trust in England is due to be offered the opportunity to upgrade compatible MRI scanners by 2029.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, said: “Waiting for test results can be an anxious time for anyone worried about cancer, so receiving answers sooner can make a real difference.
“By increasing access to scans and using technology to help clinicians see patients faster, the NHS is making it easier for people to get checked quickly and closer to home at a time that suits them.
“The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are and the better the chance of a successful outcome for patients.”
Dr Stephen Harden, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said ‘demand for diagnostic scans is rising’.
He added: “It is vital we have the equipment and workforce to scan, diagnose and treat patients efficiently and safely.
“We are pleased to see the government continue to roll out newer and AI-enabled scanners that are helping to scan more patients and providing the images radiologists analyse.”