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Bupa announces first ever specialist MRI network 10 March 2006 Leading UK health insurer Bupa has announced the UK’s first ever specialist MRI network - giving members access to leading radiologists and state-of-the-art scanners in centres of excellence around the country. Bupa Health Insurance already offers specialist services for its members who have breast, bowel and gynaecological cancer through an approved network of cancer hospitals and the new MRI network is the next step in Bupa’s specialist network programme. More than 400 sites across the UK applied to become Bupa approved units and around 230 private and NHS hospitals and imaging facilities will make up the network, giving patients convenient local access to high standards of care. Bupa approved MRI units have met strict quality criteria including ensuring they have the most up-to-date technology, access to specialist UK-based consultant radiologists, a regular audit of their service and offer good value for money. Many of the units have the ability to transfer images electronically, enabling referring consultants and radiologists to see images and reports in different locations. Many are also open in the evening and weekends. Patients can get an out-patient appointment for an MRI scan within 48 hours, with their report returned to their consultant within another two working days. Bupa is the first health insurer in the country to establish an MRI specialist network that ensures quality of service and safety for patients. The network includes some of the units operated by private hospital providers like BMI, Capio, Nuffield and Bupa Hospitals. Around 50 NHS hospitals are included, plus diagnostics specialists like Lodestone Patient Care. The network is being launched in April, and Bupa Health Insurance medical director, Dr Natalie Jane Macdonald, said: “This is the first time that MRI units in the UK have been assessed against consistent criteria. In choosing the 230 facilities we looked at everything from how quickly patients get an appointment for a scan to the upkeep and maintenance of the equipment, clinical excellence, safety standards and access to experienced, UK-based consultant radiologists. Over two thirds of the evaluation looked at clinical quality and patient service standards and a third related to the price of services. “BUPA funds 80,000 MRI scans every year and we want to ensure we offer the best value for money and local access for all our members, and make the whole process simple for them. Getting the right treatment at the right time in the right place means a better outcome for patients.”
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