Hospital says toy MRI scanner helps save £150k

A toy MRI scanner, designed to put children at ease before real scans, has saved £150,000 in sedation and care costs, health officials said.

The Kitten Scanner at Grantham District Hospital is a miniature version of an MRI machine and allows young children to pretend to scan toys.

Sandy Crook, play leader from the Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS group, said the scanner had been “overwhelmingly successful” since it was purchased two years ago.

“I know from speaking to many parents they are thankful for the Kitten Scanner and that their little ones don’t need to go through sedation.”