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Our Physics services provide scientific input to the MRI team, supporting the range of scanners and clinical activities with a particular focus on safety, image quality assurance and protocol optimisation, and introducing new techniques such as functional and quantitative measurements.

We also provide services for users of non-ionising radiation (NIR) technologies such as lasers, uv / optical equipment, devices emitting electromagnetic fields such as RF and microwaves, and other NIR equipment, in safety compliance, output / dosimetry checks, and user training.

High Level scientific advice to users in safety matters, acting in expert roles - MR Safety Expert Laser / NIR Advisor - underpins compliance with legislative requirements and national guidelines such as MHRA.

We support a number of departments including Imaging, Oncology, Surgery, Dermatology and Ophthalmology, and also external customers including other NHS Trusts.

The MRI physics team has worked on a service improvement project with Imaging to reduce the waiting time for patients needing a safety investigation, with a redesign of the process to make it more timely and efficient.

Another example quality improvements is the fMRI service is now physics-led which is an exciting development and gives the opportunity to advance the methods used and improve the neurosurgical outcomes of our patients.

Current development see the team becoming more closely involved in the new research scanner facility (BRIC) which came one line in 2021, as well as becoming more embedded within new activities in clinical MRI such as helping setting up a quantitative cardiac MRI programme and non-conditional pacemaker service.