Last week our CRH Radiology team welcomed back former patient Esme, age 7, to speak to media about her experience of the Ambient Experience. 

Fully funded by CHFT Charity, we are the first Trust in the country to use the Ambient Experience with Disney Themes, which is a piece of software built into Philips MRI scanners to distract children during their scan. It makes it easier to obtain suitable MRI scans and has reduced the need for general anaesthetics by around 90%. 

The software features mood lighting which can be changed to any colour, dimmed or brightened to suit the patients' preference, and allows them to select either Disney characters, or other videos to view during the scan.

The media piece was part of a global launch from Disney who are now offering the choice of distraction through Disney characters free of charge on Philips MRI scanners which have the Ambient Experience software.

Esme came in for her MRI scan in February. Speaking about her experience, Esme said: "It felt weird to start with but was kinda fun though because I got to watch Disney."

Esme's mum came with her for the scan and said: "I was nervous before we came because I've had one before and I thought if she's anything like me, she might panic a little bit. But having the choice to watch Disney really helped her.

"The staff were lovely and made her feel relaxed so when she got in there and knew she could watch the screen, she was absolutely fine."

Radiographer, Alison Lord, leads on many of the scans with our paediatric patients using the Ambient Experience. Speaking to media, Alison said: "Prior to having the experience, the majority of children would find it really challenging to get through an MRI scan and keep still enough to give a diagnostic image.

"Whereas now, pretty much every child seems to have managed to have a scan and it has really reduced the need to give general anaesthetic to children."

Head of Charity and Volunteer Services, Emma Kovaleski, said: "It is thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors that we have been able to bring a little magic to the MRI experience at Calderdale Royal Hospital. Enhancing patient care and experience sits at the very heart of CHFT Charity’s mission, and funding the Philips Ambient Experience is a shining example of how we make a real difference.

"In 2021, we invested £68,000 in this innovative technology, which is transforming the experience for children and young people. It is helping to dramatically reduce the need for general anaesthesia, ease anxiety for families, and ensure patients are seen more quickly - while also delivering better value for the NHS."

A big thank you to everyone who was involved in this global media piece.

You can watch the coverage on Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire's Facebook page.