On 20th May 2025, new artwork was installed in one of the MRI rooms at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), with the aim of creating a more calming and less clinical environment for patients.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan can be a daunting experience for many people. Whether it’s the enclosed space, the loud and unfamiliar noises, or the fear of what the scan might reveal, it’s not uncommon for patients to feel anxious or distressed during their appointment. These emotional, psychological, and physical stressors can make what is already a medical procedure feel even more overwhelming.

The addition of artwork to the MRI room provides a welcome distraction and a soothing visual focus. It offers something for patients to engage with—especially when staff notice signs of distress during the scan. It creates a natural talking point that can help to calm nerves, shift focus, and make the experience feel a little less clinical and a bit more human.

We were grateful to work with Grosvenor Interiors, who installed the artwork quickly and professionally, without disrupting the flow of patients through the department—a key requirement that some other suppliers were unable to meet.

Even more impressively, Grosvenor were able to carry out the installation while the MRI magnet remained active. This is a crucial advantage: many installations require the magnet to be “ramped down” to safely bring in non-MRI-compatible equipment. Ramping down not only risks the integrity of the magnet and potential helium loss, but can also take several weeks—causing significant disruption to patient scan time.

Thanks to Grosvenor’s expertise, we avoided that downtime entirely and now have a beautifully enhanced space to help support our patients through what can be a stressful experience.

This project reflects our ongoing commitment to patient-centred care—where even small changes can make a big difference.