Half of NHS MRI scanners used to detect cancer now run on AI
NHS England data published on Tuesday (3 November) shows that, from March 2024 to March 2026, the number of CT and MRI scanners in the NHS has increased by 125, giving doctors greater capacity to diagnose cancer and other serious conditions earlier and get patients into treatment sooner.
CT and MRI scanners are a vital part of diagnosing cancers including lung, brain, breast and prostate cancer. More scanners mean more patients can get the tests they need sooner, reducing waits and helping speed up diagnosis and treatment.
AI acceleration software has already been installed in more than half (54%) of compatible NHS MRI scanners. The software speeds up scan times as it needs less data to achieve a high-quality image.
The saved time can be used to get more patients through each machine per day, meaning at a national level the NHS can increase the number of MRI appointments it undertakes, government said.
Every NHS trust in the country will be given the opportunity to upgrade compatible MRI scanners by 2029. A full rollout would enable existing equipment to deliver up to 162,000 more checks per year.
Most of the new machines added since March 2024 (107 of 125) have gone into community diagnostic centres, which carried out nearly 2.2 million CT and MRI scans in the 12 months up to March 2026 – an extra million compared to the 12 months up to March 2024.
“Waiting for test results can be an anxious time for anyone worried about cancer, so receiving answers sooner can make a real difference,” said Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer.
“By increasing access to scans and using technology to help clinicians see patients faster, the NHS is making it easier for people to get checked quickly and closer to home at a time that suits them.
“The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are and the better the chance of a successful outcome for patients,” he said.
