The UK’s Scan Machine Deficit Compared to Other Countries
Recent government statistics have shown that the UK lags behind other countries in terms of the number of MRI units, CT scanners, and PET scanners per million population. In 2021, the UK had the lowest numbers of CT scanners (10), MRI units (8.6), and PET scanners (0.5) among similar economic level countries.
This revelation comes shortly after Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s commitment to boost the UK’s MedTech sector during the ‘Future of Britain’ conference in July 2024. The Labour manifesto also promised to double the number of CT and MRI scanners through a ‘Fit for the Future’ fund.
Despite a recent increase in the number of scanners, the UK still faces challenges due to years of underinvestment in healthcare infrastructure. The Royal College of Radiologists has highlighted the urgent need for more modern equipment to meet the diagnostic needs of the population.
As the government aims to make Britain a leader in life sciences and medical technology, doubling the number of scanners will be a crucial step towards improving healthcare services in the UK.
