The new Trelawny Scanning Suite at Royal Cornwall Hospital is helping create a calmer, more welcoming environment for patients through the use of immersive interactive technology, made possible by funding from the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity Legacy Fund.
The suite features interactive floor projection, immersive murals, virtual skylights and engaging visual experiences designed to help reduce anxiety before and during MRI scans. Young patients can interact with projected games while waiting for their appointment, while those undergoing scans can enjoy calming ceiling projections and immersive visuals to help make the experience feel less intimidating.
James Shaw, MRI Team Lead, explained the positive impact the technology has had on patients:
“We have about 60 patients every day using our three scanners. I’ve worked here for the last fifteen years and the difference assets like these make to patients is immense.”
He also described how the new environment helps patients feel calmer from the moment they arrive:
“Some people get anxious about having an MRI scan but from the moment they walk into the Trelawny Suite, there’s a real sense of lightness and calm. Children love playing on the interactive floor projection and, rather than staring at a blank ceiling or the bore tunnel, they can enjoy an illuminated skylight or the visual sensation of swimming with dolphins.”
The improvements have had a noticeable effect on both patients and staff, with the MRI team reporting a more relaxed atmosphere throughout the scanning suite.
The project was funded through charitable bequests to the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, demonstrating how donations can make a lasting difference to patient care and wellbeing.
Visit the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust website to read the official story.
