Bradford-based company Sovereign Health Care, known for its support of charitable endeavours in Yorkshire’s hospitals, has once again demonstrated its commitment to local communities. Celebrating its 150th anniversary and recently settling into a new location on Shipley’s Waterfront, Sovereign Health Care has announced its support for a transformational project at The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. The trust oversees care in the community and operates across three hospital sites in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Wakefield.
Last year, the Trust’s charity, MY Hospitals Charity, launched a £1.25 million campaign to raise essential funds for a £6 million redevelopment of the Radiology facilities at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. The revamped Radiology Suite will feature CT suites, a new MRI development, and, most importantly, the acquisition of a state-of-the-art 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner. These upgrades are expected to revolutionise diagnostics in the region, ensuring patients in Mid Yorkshire receive the same level of care as their counterparts in neighbouring towns and cities.
“The clinical teams at Mid Yorkshire are exceptional,” remarked Keith Ramsay, Chairman at The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. “We strive to provide them with the very best facilities and equipment so that they can utilise their skills to the fullest and deliver world-class care to patients in Wakefield, Dewsbury, and Pontefract.”
The existing radiology facilities present challenges for medical teams, particularly due to the lack of a recovery area for MRI scans that require a general anaesthetic. Keith added, “This primarily affects our youngest patients. Children often need an anaesthetic for an MRI, and without the recovery space at Pinderfields, they often have to travel to Leeds or Sheffield, which is far from ideal, especially in emergencies. The new Radiology Suite will enable us to offer treatment in a patient’s home city, eliminating the stress, discomfort, and inconvenience associated with travel.”
The MRI Diagnostic Suite Appeal, initiated by MY Hospitals Charity, aims to raise the final £1.25 million needed for the project. The remaining £6 million has already been secured from the Trust’s capital budgets and a grant of £1.15 million from NHS England. Sovereign Health Care has made a remarkable commitment by pledging £250,000 toward the project at the beginning of the Appeal.
Russ Piper, Chief Executive of Sovereign Health Care, explained the company’s motivation to get involved, stating, “Giving back to local health initiatives that impact the communities in which we operate is part of our ethos at Sovereign. The MRI Diagnostic Suite Appeal at Pinderfields was no exception. After hearing from the Charity leadership and clinical teams, it was an easy decision for us to make. We are truly impressed with the vision of the radiology team, and they have made it clear that the new facility will make a significant difference to patient care in Mid Yorkshire. We want to be a part of that.”
With the generous contribution from Sovereign Health Care, the MRI Diagnostic Suite Appeal has now raised over £375,000, leaving £875,000 to reach the target and realise the vision for the new Radiology Suites, set to be installed in 2024. The Appeal has garnered support from local figureheads, including Sir Rodney Walker, the Bishop of Wakefield, and the Mayor of Kirklees, among others. Together, they are assisting the charity in expanding its network and raising awareness about the project. A public appeal will be launched in the summer, encouraging schools, sports clubs, and the general public to participate. Meanwhile, those interested in making a donation or learning more about the project can visit the Appeal’s website at www.mymriappeal.co.uk or contact
