Upgrading and transforming imaging service delivery in Greater ManchesterA technology partnership with one of the UK's largest NHS trusts, providing cutting-edge equipment, ongoing maintenance support and value-add consulting.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest NHS provider in the UK, with 28,000 staff and serving a population of over 2.8 million people across ten hospitals. MFT carries out almost 750,000 imaging examinations every year, with imaging demand expected to increase by 5-10% every year. To achieve even the current volume, the trust needs to maintain over 300 pieces of equipment. 

To help alleviate this pressure whilst continuing to benefit from the latest imaging technology, MFT formed a Value Partnership with Siemens Healthineers. With Siemens Healthineers already a leading provider of imaging equipment to MFT, and delivering  support in areas including radiology, cardiology, women’s health and the Manchester Lung Health Checks, the partnership represented a natural step for this long-standing collaboration. 

The Value Partnership ensures the provision and replacement of key radiology equipment and is responsible for managing close to 300 systems. This includes critical imaging systems such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, nuclear medicine, advanced visualisation software, mammography and contrast injectors. The trust’s radiographers were also involved in the procurement process and in developing the equipment specifications for each modality area.

As well as providing equipment, the Value Partnership supports the imaging department with a technology refresh programme. This covers the selection of cutting-edge equipment, comprehensive training, and world-class maintenance support through the Siemens Healthineers on-site team, to repair and upgrade the technology if needed. 

The partnership also extends beyond assets and equipment management, to include consulting support aimed at optimising workflow efficiency. Through in-depth study of ultrasound patient pathways from referral to report, the team at MFT has been able to develop new ways of working, addressing challenges such as patient flow, vetting, booking and scheduling. An additional project to harmonise booking processes for CT services across sites was also launched, supporting the provision of an efficient and cohesive imaging service.

Within 18 months of the partnership with Siemens Healthineers, MFT had already received around 80 new items of imaging equipment, predominantly X-ray and ultrasound systems with multiple large imaging installations in process. With the addition of North Manchester General Hospital, the total number of imaging assets under the management of the partnership is at almost 300. 

The Value Partnership with MFT supports the trust’s larger goal of improving overall health outcomes and reducing variation in healthcare delivery across Greater Manchester’s diverse population – as outlined in Manchester’s Population Health Plan. The partnership is delivering innovative technology, a structured replacement plan and responsive equipment support, while the consulting support is helping the trust to continuously provide excellent patient care.

Helen Kenyon, Divisional Director of Imaging at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, says: “Every one of us will need an imaging service during our healthcare journey, and so improving the efficiency of imaging at MFT has far-reaching benefits. Through this partnership with Siemens Healthineers, we are building a more consistent service across our hospitals – with patients benefitting from continually improving pathways and the latest technology.”