SingHealth Opens New Offsite MRI Centre which Enables Faster Scans to Enhance Patient Experience

• The MRI machines in the new SingHealth MRI Centre are equipped with advanced AI features capable of reducing scan times by up to 25 per cent for certain MRI scans, enhancing patient comfort, especially for individuals with claustrophobia.
  
  
• The Centre will provide up to 18,000 additional MRI slots per year, enabling more patients to undergo their scans on their preferred dates for swifter follow-ups.

Singapore, 14 February 2026 – SingHealth has opened a new offsite MRI centre at Dunearn Village, featuring three new MRI machines, that will increase its annual MRI capacity by up to 18,000 slots. Operated in partnership with United Imaging Healthcare (UIH), the new MRI machines employed at the centre are equipped with AI functions that enhance image acquisition efficiency, reducing scan time by up to 25 per cent for certain MRI procedures^[1] without compromising diagnostic quality. Two of the three new MRI machines feature the industry’s largest bore, offering greater comfort for patients, especially for individuals with claustrophobia.

Greater Comfort Before and During Scans 

Two of the three MRI machines in the new Centre feature a bore size of 75cm in diameter, 5cm larger than standard MRI bores currently available in the market, the industry’s largest as of today. The larger bore not only improves comfort but also accommodates a broader range of body sizes and allows greater flexibility in patient positioning required for various types of scans. Each machine is also designed with an in-built ‘starlight’ feature that lines the interior wall of the bore, creating a larger sense of space within the bore and increasing psychological comfort for patients during their scans, especially for individuals with claustrophobia. 

The MRI rooms are equipped with dynamic wall and ceiling ambience systems that allow soothing visual themes of nature scapes^[2] to be projected. These systems are fully integrated with audio input systems that allow patients to enjoy their preferred music or audio entertainment while undergoing their scans. Together, these features enhance emotional and psychological comfort of patients, promoting better cooperation and tolerance throughout the scanning process. SingHealth is believed to be the first institution in Southeast Asia to offer MRI services using this integrated design. Please refer to the Annex for visual references. 

To help reduce anxiety for patients waiting for their MRI scans, the new Centre has been designed with a “home-like” concept in mind, creating a warm and calming environment that departs from the traditional clinical ambience of a hospital environment. The Centre also features individualised seating pods with window views that give patients greater privacy and a more restful experience as they await their scans. This homely design enhances comfort and makes the space feel less intimidating for patients. 

Safer and Faster Pre-Scan Checks 

This new Centre features an innovative ferromagnetic detector integrated seamlessly into the door frame of the MRI screening room, allowing for convenient and efficient pre-scan checks to detect metals on the patient. By walking through the door frame, the detector will automatically alert staff if any metallic objects are detected on the patients’ body. This new system replaces the widely used pole-style detector that required patients to turn in a full circle during screening, which may cause dizziness and increase the risk of falls, particularly among elderly patients. It also simplifies the process for patients with mobility challenges, making pre‑scan checks quicker, safer, and more convenient. 

One-Stop Convenience 

Patients with a history of allergies to drugs such as the MRI contrast injections, can collect medications at the Centre ahead of their scans. SingHealth nurses deployed at the new MRI Centre have been trained by SingHealth pharmacists, equipping them with the competency to dispense home medications for these patients. This provides convenience for affected patients by eliminating the need for an additional trip to a SingHealth hospital to collect their medication or arrange for separate medication delivery. 

Going Green Without Compromising Safety 

In line with SingHealth’s commitment to environmental sustainability, patients are provided with recyclable single-use gowns, reducing the environmental impact associated with repeated high-temperature washing and sterilisation of traditional fabric gowns.  These gowns can be responsibly recycled after use, supporting a more sustainable, circular approach to healthcare. The shirt and pants are also marked to clearly identify the patients’ left and right limbs which enhances patient safety and diagnostic accuracy by ensuring that scan locations are correctly identified. SingHealth is the first institution in Singapore to roll out these recyclable gowns. 

Associate Professor Andrew Tan, Chairman, Radiological Sciences, SingHealth, said, "The new SingHealth MRI Centre reflects our continuous commitment to elevating the standards of care we provide. By synergising the strengths of UIH with SingHealth’s innovative service delivery models, we are advancing diagnostic imaging capabilities and ensuring that the patient experience, safety and environmental sustainability are prioritised. With these enhancements, we are excited to bring this key service to more patients and ensure that they continue to receive accessible and the best care possible." 

Dr Jusong Xia, PhD, President of International Business at United Imaging Healthcare, added: “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to advanced medical imaging through intelligent technology. By integrating AI-powered MRI solutions into community-based care settings, we aim to support more efficient clinical workflows while helping make high-quality diagnostic services more accessible to patients across Singapore and the broader Southeast Asia region. This is an important step towards our mission of Equal Healthcare for All.” The SingHealth MRI Centre has been operational since 2 January 2026 and is located at Dunearn Village, 896 Dunearn Road, #03-05 to 09, Singapore 589472, adjacent to King Albert Park MRT Station.

[1] Procedures include MRI scans for prostate and a range of musculoskeletal areas such as spine, knees and ankles.
[2]The types of visuals available include mountains, waterfalls, seasonal landscapes, and animals such as birds and whales, etc.