"Worth every penny"

I am an autistic adult and having tried another (old) MRI scanner, couldn't proceed with it due to claustrophobia and panic.

The scanner at Heath Lodge is a wide-bore scanner and also very short (just over 4ft long - so looks more like a doughnut than a tunnel!).

The staff take the time to explain every part of the process to you and to ensure everyone is familiar with what the issues are and what the scan is for.

They give you a buzzer to hold that you can press at any point during the scan for assistance, and they can talk to you through the headphones they give you to wear. I specifically asked to be given timing updates (e.g. I was told the first part was 2 minutes long, so I kept still and counted the seconds in my head: 1000, 2000, 3000..., then the next part was 3 minutes long etc), which stopped me ruminating and was slightly meditative.

I was also surprised at how quickly it went, as when I pre-rang to ask (a lot) of questions I was told it would be approx. 50 minutes, and it was only 15 minutes! - for two areas: lumbar and sacroiliac areas. For this area I was also able to go feet-first, so my head outside of the scanner itself.

They do move you a few inches on occasion during the scan to better line you up, which I wasn't pre-warned about, but it was fine.

Didn't feel clinical and threatening at all; very homely place and staff were friendly and sympathetic.

My mum was able to come into the scanning room with me.

I was so relaxed that I even started to find the MRI scanner's noises mildly amusing, as I don't think a single one sounded the same - so I occupied myself with waiting to hear the next round of scanning to see what noises were coming next. The noises, although loud, weren't scary; more like standing next to a building site using a pneumatic drill (but you have earplugs and headphones on).

There was even a funny moment when the radiologist asked me through the headphones if I was ok, but I didn't respond (I wasn't sure if they wanted a thumbs-up, or could hear me if I spoke) - so the assistant came out to physically speak to me and I told her I'd been advised not to move, so she relayed back that I was just doing what I'd been told, and we all laughed.

I will never fear having another MRI scan if needed, if it's at Heath Lodge.