Affidea, located on New Vision Business Park, opened in March 2026. It boasts one of the most advanced MRI scanners in the world, while the scanning experience features ambient lighting and relaxing visuals such as dolphins and pandas.
The centre was established to improve access to advanced diagnostic imaging across North Wales, allowing patients to access MRI scans closer to home with rapid reporting and reduced waiting times.
Adel Sonnokrot, Commercial Director (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick)
Adel Sonnokrot, Co-Founder and Commercial Director – AM Diagnostic Imaging Ltd, part of the Affidea Group, and Edward Williamson, Head of Growth and Partnerships at Affidea, are keen to explore opportunities to support NHS services where appropriate.
They claim about 6,000 patients are currently waiting for MRI appointments with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).
However, a source from the health board said the figure was closer to 1,700.
Daniel McConnell – Site Lead / Cross Sectional Radiographer at Affidea in St Asaph (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick)
The private centre is currently accepting referrals from GPs, consultants and physiotherapists, with the aim of eliminating the “wait and see” approach.
Mr Sonnokrot said: “This project is a vision to improve health care and bring change to the NHS sector as well as the private sector.
Affidea St Asaph Diagnostic Imaging Centre uses an advanced 1.5T Philips MRI scanner. It boasts visual walls and ambient lighting to help relax patients. (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest)
“There are a lot of challenges in North Wales and this is about bringing high quality care, investing in communities, creating jobs and bringing high-end technology to North Wales.
“Prior to opening the centre in St Asaph, I did a lot of research and I realised the waiting lists were so long.
“I convinced my colleagues that this was a very good place to start as a footprint for Affidea in North Wales, to bring the model of community care where people could get fast and rapid access to diagnostic imaging in the community, away from the hospital environment.
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“This is an inception of a big idea. We are starting with the MRI service and then we’d like to expand to any service the community and the local health board need.”
Mr Sonnokrot said they had already experienced a growing number of patients coming through the door.
“We would really like NHS patients to benefit from this fantastic technology,” he said.
“We have one of the most advanced MRI scanners in the world in North Wales that could be used for NHS patients too.
Ed Williamson, Head of Growth & Partnerships, Affidea (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick)
“We have submitted a formal proposal to BCUHB.
“They could utilise this as a local facility, whenever they need it.
“It doesn’t need to be a long term contract. They don’t need to rent, invest, just use to facility on a national tariff. I know they don’t have the national tariff in Wales, but it is a reference point that can be used.
“The centre could see up to 35 to 40 patients a day, depending on the complexity of the scan(s).”
While Affidea is waiting to hopefully progress with BCUHB, the doors are open for private patients, with same-day or next-day MRI appointments normally offered and reports provided within 48 hours.
Both the patient and the referrer would have access to the images.
Mr Sonnokrot and Mr Williamson said some patients on the NHS can wait up to 18 weeks for an MRI scan.
“This is a pilot project as such in North Wales, as there is a need,” Mr Williamson said.
“I love the NHS and I am a firm believer of the NHS, but it has its problems, like any large organisations can experience.
“In an ideal world, if BCUHB said, ‘can you see 1,000 of our patients?’, we would say, ‘absolutely,’ and look at how we can keep things cost-effective.
Emma Burt, patient care administrator (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick)
“It is about giving people choice – they can come and get seen today.
“For example, if my father said he had a heart condition and he was told he had to wait six months for a scan, I would want him seen a quick as possible.
“When we work with some of the Trusts in England, we sit down with them, we try to understand the problems they are facing and look to solve the immediate problem – in this case, a large waiting list, with patients waiting for up to six months.
“We’d look at solving that problem – which can be budget dependent. The volume of patients dictates how much things cost.
“Typically the NHS has a tariff, and typically we would work with them to reduce the amount they are paying – to come in below tariff.
“There is no infrastructure cost to BCUHB. We provide the MRI scanner, there is no cost for training the staff, the radiographers that are involved etc.
Emma Burt, Edward Williamson and Adel Sonnokrot, outside Affidea Diagnostic Imaging Centre in St Asaph. (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick)
“I totally understand that sometimes people don’t have the money to pay for private care, but if the burden is no longer on the NHS, i.e. the waiting lists are being removed and being taken care of elsewhere, it then has the capacity and the money to deal with those patients quickly.
“Our goal is, very much so, to work together.
“If we bunker ourselves and hide, we can’t do change.”
An MRI scan takes detailed pictures of the inside of the body. It’s used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatment and check how well treatment is working. People can also have heart and brain scans.
People can ring the centre if they are worried about having an MRI scan or want to know more about how the scanner or process works.
Mr Williamson said: “It is noisy. That is the biggest thing about it. We can put speakers on you, you can listen to nice music whilst you have it. We also have video walls so you can have fish swimming round you or you can watch pandas.
“It is a nice, gentle experience. The unit here is very spacious, it is not too claustrophobic.
“The big thing for me here is, it is about peace of mind.
“Often scans will give you an answer. It might not be the answer you want, but at least… then you know. You can then make a decision what to do next.
“We aren’t going to cure you, but we are going to give you that knowledge.”
Mr Williamson added: “It is also worth mentioning about MRI prostate scans. Some men discover they have got prostate cancer too late.
“You can have a physical exam or you can have an MRI scan, and you can see everything you need to see without further tests.”
Llyr Gruffydd, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability and MS for Clwyd, visited the centre, together with Sera Pierce from his office. (Image: Submitted)
“As a screening tool, it is very effective.”
Emma Burt, patient care administrator from Rhyl, said: “Since working here, I’ve seen an increase in patient referrals. There is a lack of knowledge about the private sector, and I think people worry that if they come private, they can’t be seen in the NHS, and that’s not the case.”
Emma, who has a nursing background, added: “We do require a referral from a professional and then our policy is that the referral can obtain the results of the scan and relay that back to the patient, as they are the experts and know what they are looking for.
“One of our advantages is that we can scan people the same day. We are open 8am until 8pm [subject to change] and we have the time to spend with patients. It can be daunting, and if you haven’t had any knowledge of an MRI or diagnostic testing, we can talk it through and the radiographer will explain.
“My whole life has been about helping people. It is nice to be involved in this.”
Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd, MS for Clwyd, paid a visit to the centre last month, together with Sera Pierce from his office.
Mr Sonnokrot and Mr Williamson discussed diagnostic provision in North Wales with the MS, the role facilities such as St Asaph can play in supporting healthcare in the area, and Affidea’s ambition to continue investing in and developing services across the region.
BCUHB was unable to provide a statement at this time, but said any company wishing to supply services to the health board must go through the proper procurement channels.