The overall UK radiology equipment market spend for the six months to the end of March 2018 is down by around 30% compared to the same period in the previous year.

This is according to latest figures from AXREM (the Association of Healthcare Technology Providers for Imaging, Radiotherapy and Care), which represents all the major medical imaging manufacturers active in the UK.

Commenting on the data, Alan Birks, Director of AXREM, notes concern over reduced investment in medical imaging equipment and the potential impact this will have on patient care.

Mr Birks said: “There is evidence that the overall 30% decline in spend is similar from both NHS customers and the remainder of the market, predominantly private healthcare providers.

“CT spend during the six months to the end of March 2018 has reduced by 43% compared with the same period ending March 2017 and MRI spend has reduced by 30.6%.” 1

A report published by AXREM in August 20172 highlighted the continuing increase in the age of the installed base of medical imaging equipment across the United Kingdom. According to a survey of AXREM member organisations carried out in August 2017, 55% of CT scanners in the UK are more than five years old, with 12% being over 10 years old.

Mr Birks continues: “This age profile can only be addressed by investment in new equipment. The latest technologies afford advances including reduced dose of ionising radiation (X-Rays), and improved visual and functional information aiding more definitive diagnosis and better patient outcomes. Continued use of older equipment potentially denies patients the benefits of the latest technological advances, and can also expose patients to unnecessary risk.

Similarly, a survey of MRI scanners conducted across the NHS by its Clinical Imaging Board in April 20173 found that 58% of MRI systems were over five years old and 29% were more than 10 years old.

Mr Birks added: “The issue of NHS funding is already high on the political agenda. Lord Darzi in the interim report for his current review (High Quality Care for All: Ten Years On, Ten Years Forward) made the case for having a national conversation about the funding requirements that the health and care system need between now and 2030. One of the conclusions of the report is that a long term funding settlement for health and care is put forward.