MRI Guidance (Open/Upright)

Guidance Statement:

Requests are usually submitted via secondary care specialist, the pathway for referral is as follows:

Advice & guidance with a Radiologist as outlined in this information https://digital.nhs.uk/services/e-referral-service/document-library/advice-and-guidance-toolkit/advice-and-guidance-for-gps-and-referring-clinician-teams
Or direct advice from a Radiologist can be obtained by sending an email to Radiology for advice nnu-tr.radreferrals@nhs.net. A radiologist will aim to reply to your query within 2-3 working days

MRI radiographers are very skilled at getting patients through MRI even when they claim to be claustrophobic.

Patients need to have documented evidence of failure to tolerate MRI before oral sedation is recommended.

Short term use of oral sedation can be offered where clinically appropriate, and if working in professions with an occupational hazard risk i.e. use of machinery, driving etc. Counselling needs to be provided about an appropriate period of time post procedure to safely return to work. This is to reduce risk of side-effects including drowsiness taking place and should be assessed by the clinician at the time of prescribing.

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/diazepam/

Patients with the following will be eligible for open/upright MRI:

Patients who are unable to tolerate conventional MRI due to claustrophobia despite conservative management of anxiety (including noise-cancelling headphones, visual aids and scanning feet first if possible) AND the use of sedation has been considered, and if clinically appropriate, offered. If sedation is not considered to be an appropriate option, the reason should be documented.

OR

Patients who are unable to fit in a conventional MRI scanner, e.g. due to obesity or inability to lie flat.

It is the responsibility of referring and treating clinicians to ensure compliance with this guidance.

Referrals for open or upright should be submitted by the referring clinician directly to specialist centres as below:

For London/Birmingham Upright MRI Clinic please use:

Patient Referral Form for MRI (uprightmri.co.uk)

For Avicenna Clinic, Peterborough please visit:

About us – Avicenna Clinic

Cases for Individual Funding Consideration (Patients who do not meet the policy guidance)

On a case to case basis, patients might be eligible for surgical intervention, in consideration of their exceptionality. The requesting clinician must provide information to support the case for being considered an exception, by submitting an individual funding request.