The new MRI Diagnostic Centre at West Berkshire Community Hospital
We are building a new state-of-the-art MRI community diagnostic centre at West Berkshire Community Hospital.
This new MRI facility has been designed to meet the growing demand for advanced diagnostic imaging across Berkshire West. Equipped with two new MRI scanners, the facility will be capable of delivering 17,500 MRI scans annually ensuring local patients get faster access to essential imaging services.
This facility is the latest addition to the development of radiology facilities at West Berkshire Community Hospital. In 2021 the hospital became part of the government’s Community Diagnostic CDC Programme and has seen substantial investment and improvements into imaging services. This includes the opening of a new mammography unit, DEXA scanner and two ultrasound suites in December 2024, and two digital plain film x-ray machines and cone beam CT scanner in 2023.
Home to two new MRI scanners
Providing 17,500 MRI scans each year
Serving a population of 1 million people
Construction begins
A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday 3 December to mark the official start of construction of the new facility. Steve McManus, Chief Executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust turned the soil with Rob Tayton, Chairman of the Newbury and Thatcham Building Trust, alongside partners and colleagues from the Trust to mark this major celebration.
Construction begins on a new state-of-the-art MRI community diagnostic centre at West Berkshire Community Hospital
Progress update
The purpose-built unit has been manufactured off-site and will be installed in the Spring of 2026.
Groundwork construction began in November 2025 and is on track for completion by Winter 2026.
