Latest news with #KMPT
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New brain scanner could speed up dementia diagnosis
A pioneering brain scanner, one of the first to be owned by an NHS trust in England, is being trialled in Kent to improve dementia diagnosis and mental health research. The low-field MRI scanner is smaller, cheaper, and more portable than traditional machines, and could be used in community clinics for faster, more accessible assessments. Led by the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), with academic partners, the research aims to combine the scanners with AI to match the image quality of standard MRI scans. Prof Sukhi Shergill, from KMPT, believes the scanner could be "revolutionary" and lead to quicker dementia diagnosis. He said it was "currently one of the biggest challenges we face in healthcare". Experts say low-field scanners have the potential to replace standard brain scanning techniques and transform early diagnosis and treatment strategies for mental health conditions. Modern MRI scanners often require specific power and cooling infrastructure and are sensitive to vibrations and some magnetic fields, which means they are usually housed in specially designed hospital rooms. The new scanners produce lower quality images but combined with AI software they are capable of matching the image quality of larger, more expensive machines. In his role as director of research for KMPT and co-director of research at KMMSS, Prof Shergill said having smaller scanners in local communities meant they could access "almost everybody in Kent". "It's a revolutionary kind of idea to go to put these low field scanners much more locally to people," he said. It is hoped the trials would also be a be a "significant step forward in speeding up dementia assessments". Dr Joanne Rodda, a senior lecturer at Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) and consultant psychiatrist at KMPT, is researching the scanners' ability to help with early diagnosis of dementia. She said: "Low-field scanners could potentially be offered more widely, like in community memory clinics, providing more timely results, improving patient experience." The collaboration between KMPT, KMMS, and Canterbury Christ Church University aims to support innovative research to enhance the health and well-being of communities in Kent and Medway. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Related stories One million brain scans used to assess dementia risk Related stories Biggest human imaging study scans 100,000th person Relate internet links Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT)
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New brain scanner trialled in Kent could speed up dementia diagnosis
A pioneering brain scanner, one of the first to be owned by an NHS trust in England, is being trialled in Kent to improve dementia diagnosis and mental health research. The low-field MRI scanner is smaller, cheaper, and more portable than traditional machines, and could be used in community clinics for faster, more accessible by the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), with academic partners, the research aims to combine the scanners with AI to match the image quality of standard MRI scans. Prof Sukhi Shergill, from KMPT, believes the scanner could be "revolutionary" and lead to quicker dementia diagnosis. He said it was "currently one of the biggest challenges we face in healthcare".Experts say low-field scanners have the potential to replace standard brain scanning techniques and transform early diagnosis and treatment strategies for mental health MRI scanners often require specific power and cooling infrastructure and are sensitive to vibrations and some magnetic fields, which means they are usually housed in specially designed hospital new scanners produce lower quality images but combined with AI software they are capable of matching the image quality of larger, more expensive machines. In his role as director of research for KMPT and co-director of research at KMMSS, Prof Shergill said having smaller scanners in local communities meant they could access "almost everybody in Kent"."It's a revolutionary kind of idea to go to put these low field scanners much more locally to people," he said. It is hoped the trials would also be a be a "significant step forward in speeding up dementia assessments".Dr Joanne Rodda, a senior lecturer at Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) and consultant psychiatrist at KMPT, is researching the scanners' ability to help with early diagnosis of said: "Low-field scanners could potentially be offered more widely, like in community memory clinics, providing more timely results, improving patient experience." The collaboration between KMPT, KMMS, and Canterbury Christ Church University aims to support innovative research to enhance the health and well-being of communities in Kent and Medway.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Canterbury university and health trust launch training academy
A new training academy has been launched to help prepare the next generation of healthcare workers in Christ Church University and Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) joined forces to create the Health and Wellbeing Academy. The academy hopes to give student nurses and health professionals hands on clinical training and support through better collaboration between education and frontline NHS staff. Prof Andy Cruickshank, KMPT's chief nurse, said the aim was to "help students build skills and make decisions safely". The new academy will focus on "simulation-based learning, joint curriculum development, and research to improve health outcomes across the region".As part of the initiative, staff from KMPT will help train students at the university's high-tech simulation suites offering real-life insights and clinical expertise in a safe environment. Prof Jane Perry, from Canterbury Christ Church, said the academy would "help equip students with the knowledge and confidence needed to meet future health care challenges".
