InHealth has become the first independent provider in Great Britain and Ireland to introduce the helium-independent* MAGNETOM Flow.Elite MRI system from Siemens Healthineers within a hybrid relocatable imaging environment, marking an important step towards more flexible and sustainable approaches to diagnostic service delivery. The installation represents the first hybrid relocatable deployment of the MAGNETOM Flow.Elite platform in the UK and reflects InHealth’s ongoing investment in imaging solutions designed to help address increasing demand for diagnostic services, while supporting greater operational agility across healthcare settings.
As NHS providers continue to manage growing waiting lists and capacity constraints, imaging infrastructure is evolving to complement traditional fixed-site services. Sustainable hybrid and relocatable MRI solutions offer a practical way to expand capacity, support continuity of service during site works, and bring imaging closer to patients where it is needed most.
Built around a next-generation 1.5T MRI platform from Siemens Healthineers, MAGNETOM Flow.Elite has been developed to simplify installation requirements and reduce reliance on scarce resources. The system features DryCool technology, which reduces helium consumption by up to 99% compared with conventional MRI systems, supporting sustainability goals while easing pressure on a finite natural resource.
The platform is also designed with energy efficiency and siting flexibility in mind, making it well suited to relocatable and mobile environments where infrastructure limitations can present challenges. This enables providers to deploy MRI services more rapidly and with fewer estate constraints, supporting more responsive workflows for care.
Alongside its operational benefits, the system is designed to enhance the patient experience. Its shorter, more open design can help reduce anxiety for patients, while quieter imaging technology and enhanced audio capabilities contribute to a more comfortable examination environment.
Deep Resolve AI-enabled imaging and myExam Companion workflow tools also support efficient service delivery by helping radiographers streamline scanning processes and reduce examination times. This contributes to improved throughput while maintaining image quality.
“Across the UK, demand for diagnostic imaging continues to outpace capacity, creating real challenges for providers working to reduce waiting times and maintain service continuity,” said Geoff Searle, chief executive officer at InHealth. “This installation reflects our focus on delivering flexible imaging solutions that can adapt to the needs of healthcare systems, whether that’s supporting additional capacity, enabling continuity during site works, or bringing services closer to patients. By combining relocatable infrastructure with more sustainable MRI technology, we’re able to support a more resilient approach to imaging that aligns with both operational and environmental priorities.”
“Healthcare providers are increasingly looking for imaging technologies that can support sustainability, operational flexibility and patient experience alongside clinical performance,” states Alistair Piggot, business area lead for Magnetic Resonance at Siemens Healthineers Great Britain and Ireland. “The introduction of MAGNETOM Flow.Elite into a hybrid relocatable setting demonstrates how MRI systems are evolving to better align with the changing needs of healthcare services.”
