University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) has unveiled the UK’s first Canon Vantage Galan 3T / Supreme Edition MRI at an opening ceremony led by the clinical team.
The new, state‑of‑the‑art MRI scanner, at the Leicester General Hospital, marks a significant investment in modern diagnostic technology for patients across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The Canon Vantage Galan 3T / Supreme Edition MRI is expected to deliver around 6,500 MRI scans every year and will help clinicians take clearer, more detailed pictures of the inside of the body, supporting improved patient care and enhanced clinical outcomes.
The new MRI scanner was officially unveiled by Ashwin Prajapati, whose son Punit worked as a senior CT and MRI radiographer at UHL before sadly passing away from bone cancer in 2020, aged 31.
Ashwin said: “It means a great deal to our family to be part of today’s opening. Punit was incredibly proud to work at UHL and cared deeply about helping patients. Knowing that this new MRI scanner will support thousands of people every year is a fitting tribute. I am honoured that Punit’s memory is connected to something that will make such a positive difference for so many.”
The new scanner will help UHL meet rising demand for advanced imaging, with the system expected to deliver MRI scans for inpatient, outpatient, and routine referrals. While the scanner is primarily focused on delivering the highest possible image quality rather than reducing scan times, its enhanced performance will enable more patients who need advanced imaging to be seen more quickly.
Suzanne Nancarrow, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at UHL who attended the event said: “Today’s official opening marks an important milestone in the modernisation of our MRI facilities at UHL, which will help build capacity to meet the increase in demand we are seeing for diagnostic imaging across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Stories like Punit’s show how vital it is to support patients in receiving prompt, accurate diagnoses.
“By replacing an ageing 1.5T system, we are able to provide 3T‑level imaging across all three of our main hospital sites. This means patients can be seen closer to home, examinations can be scheduled more flexibly, and we can prioritise those who need specialist 3T imaging, such as prostate and neurological scans. This investment is an important step in our wider plans to expand diagnostic capacity and improve patient experience.”
The event was supported by partners including Canon Medical Systems UK and Ergéa UK, who helped deliver the Canon Vantage Galan 3T / Supreme Edition MRI system through a Managed Equipment Service (MES).
Rob Madge, Implementation Manager for Ergéa UK said: “We are incredibly proud to see the Canon Vantage Galan 3T / Supreme Edition MRI officially unveiled at the Leicester General Hospital. Through our MES partnership with the Trust, Ergéa has been able to provide UHL direct access to the world’s most advanced imaging technology. Ultimately, this has given the clinical team high-specification tools required to deliver faster, more precise, and truly future-proofed care for the local community.”