Children’s Rocket
Scanner Appeal

MRI scans can be scary for young children

Every year, thousands of children cared for by our hospitals require an MRI scan to diagnose and monitor a wide range of medical conditions, from complex neurological disorders to routine injuries and unexplained symptoms.

Although the MRI scan is often critical, it can also be an incredibly intimidating prospect, particularly for young children, many of whom will find it difficult to stay still for prolonged periods of time.
There is no such thing as a child-sized MRI scanner, so children must enter a large scanner, designed to fit adult patients, lying on a strange-looking bed in a harshly lit environment. For many children, the unpredictable sounds of the scanner are especially distressing. MRIs are incredibly loud, sometimes reaching aircraft-level volumes, so that even when wearing appropriate hearing protection our young patients can find the onslaught of sound upsetting or even frightening.

Each year around 1,300 children we care for find the prospect so challenging, they need to be sedated for a scan, with a further 700 needing a general anaesthetic. While this approach is highly effective, it is an invasive procedure and the prospect can be equally, if not more, distressing for our young patients and their parents, who have to watch their unconscious child be wheeled away.

The difference you can make

Our Children’s Rocket Scanner Appeal will fund two state-of-the-art simulators that will revolutionise how we prepare our young patients for scans.

Rocket Scanners are playful, rocket-shaped MRI-simulators designed to help children overcome the fear and anxiety associated with an MRI scan.

Designed specifically for children aged 10 and under, these innovative play scanners create a fun and relaxed environment where young patients can practice lying still, just like in a real MRI scanner. They provide children with an opportunity to get used to the scan experience in a relaxed and enjoyable way, helping them prepare them for the real thing.

Children lie down inside the rocket-themed simulator which is equipped with lights and sounds that mimic the real MRI machine, and our specially trained Play Therapists and Radiographers will work with the young children to guide them through the process, making sure they feel comfortable at every step of the way. To make the experience fun, interactive games reward the child with points for staying still, helping them understand the importance of remaining calm and still during the scan.

Motion sensors within the simulator detect any movement, and the results are discussed with both the child and their parents, providing an opportunity to celebrate success and address any concerns in an appropriate way.

By providing our hospitals with two Rocket Scanners, we can transform the experience of our patients – reducing distress and anxiety in the young children we care for. With your support we can ensure that thousands of children can be scanned without feeling so frightened that they need to be put to sleep.

Make a difference today, donate now.