We know that coming to hospital for an appointment is daunting for most people, but especially for children and we also know an MRI scanner is a noisy machine, which can be difficult for patients to tolerate.
Before each appointment we send information to the parents, which includes an app to introduce the cartoon characters that explain how an MRI scanner works, what it feels like to have a scan and how the results can help.
Then I show children the Kitten Scanner, they play with it and watch a video about what will happen during their scan. When they are comfortable, I take them over to the MRI unit for their scan. After their scan they get a certificate, which is always very well received!
Frankie, a seven-year-old boy from Grantham, was the 250th child to go through this experience recently at Grantham and District Hospital. The Kitten Scanner helped him prepare for an MRI on his head.
The Kitten Scanner costs around £15,000 and has saved around £150,000 by avoiding sedation, as well as the time and costs associated with a short hospital stay on a ward to recover from a general anaesthetic.
The Kitten Scanner is at Grantham and District Hospital in the Kingfisher Unit, but as the use of it has been overwhelmingly successful and due to our large geographical county, we now looking to get further Kitten Scanners for other locations.
We are grateful to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity for purchasing the original Kitten Scanner and thus allowing us to set up this wonderful service for some of our youngest patients. I know from speaking to many parents, that they are thankful for the Kitten Scanner and that their little ones don’t need to go through sedation.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity and our other Group charity, Lincolnshire NHS Charity enhance the healthcare experience for patients and families and support staff wellbeing.
If you would like to find out more, please visit Lincolnshire NHS charity and United Lincolnshire Hospitals charity.