1 July 2025
Marking a significant milestone, the Helyer MRI Suite is celebrating its first anniversary, having provided advanced imaging services to 1,286 patients since opening its doors in June 2024.
Professor Kathleen Carolan, Director of Nursing and Acute Services, said: “Celebrating the first anniversary of the MRI suite is wonderful. After many years of fundraising, planning for the suite, installing the bespoke modular building, setting up the service, I couldn’t be happier to reach this milestone.”
The Shetland MRI Scanner Appeal Fund was launched in 2018. Funds were raised in a variety of ways with everything from charity head shaves, knitting, raffles, clothes swaps, car washes, community events and much more. Local and international fundraising from individuals and businesses generated £2million, with Scottish Government committing up to £1.6million in financial capital support.
Professor Carolan continued: “I would like to sincerely thank all those colleagues who have been directly and indirectly involved in establishing the MRI service in Shetland. I am enormously proud of what has been achieved, and how staff continue to support and develop the MRI service so that more care can be delivered locally. My thanks to the community, for your phenomenal support. We have been delighted to receive such kind and helpful feedback since the service started last summer.”
An event to mark the tremendous effort that went into fundraising to buy a state-of-the-art MRI scanner was held in October last year.
Hosted by the Shetland Health Board Endowment Funds, members of the community, local businesses, and colleagues joined together for the small event held in the cafeteria at the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
Some feedback captured from patients throughout the year is already highlighting how valuable the MRI scanner is. One patient said: “Great experience. Staff lovely and very friendly, put my daughter at ease. Was given all the information so never had to ask for anything.”
- For more information regarding the Helyer MRI suite, please visit Medical Imaging – NHS Shetland