Calderdale Royal Hospital has become one of the first NHS sites to introduce Disney-themed MRI scanners designed to help make scans less frightening for children.

Around 200,000 children in the UK undergo MRI scans each year, with many struggling to stay still or finding the experience distressing.

The state-of-the-art scanners use lighting, sound and integrated Disney characters to transform the MRI environment into a more immersive, calming and familiar experience for children.

Clinicians at Calderdale Royal Hospital have been using the Philips Ambient Experience system and seen great results with fewer children needing a general anaesthetic.

More than 100 NHS hospitals already using the system will now be eligible to use the Disney stories and characters, at no additional cost.

Alison Lord, a radiographer at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, uses the system to make sure children leave the department as happy as they arrived.

“Philips and Disney are helping create a calm and relaxing atmosphere for children undergoing scans, which supports really positive outcomes,” she said.

“When a child comes in, they like being able to choose their own Disney character, which helps them feel more in control during what can be quite a frightening experience.

“Using the Philips Ambient Experience helps us achieve successful scans without the need for other interventions.

“When I’m speaking with parents before the scan, they’re really keen to try this and our general anesthetic waiting list has come right down.”

Lisa Haines, senior vice president, corporate social responsibility at The Walt Disney Company, said: “At Disney, we believe stories have the power to bring comfort and emotional connection to children and families.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Philips to extend that impact into MRI rooms in a meaningful way – using our beloved stories and characters to help provide moments of escape, normalcy and reassurance during what can be an intimidating experience for kids in hospitals.”