The professional body for radiographers says there is an “urgent need” for NHS Scotland to invest in new diagnostic equipment in the light of some health boards reporting as many as two thirds of X-Ray, MRI and CT scanners are over a decade old – the point where they can become unreliable and expensive to maintain.

Following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Scottish Labour, the Society of Radiographers (SoR) is calling for a Scotland-wide programme to upgrade its diagnostic imaging equipment.

The newly-released figures reveal that there are currently 123 diagnostic machines used across health boards in Scotland that are over 10 years old – the recommended age to replace imaging kit.

This accounts for almost one in three of the total X-Ray, MRI and CT scanners reported by health boards.

Reporting the highest proportion of its diagnostic scanners being used beyond the recommended age of replacement NHS Grampian figures show that 2 in 3 of these scanners are over a decade old.

NHS Grampian responded that it is using one X-Ray machine which is 27 years old and an MRI scanner that is 15 years old.

Charlotte Beardmore, SoR Executive Director of Professional Policy, said:

“Our members in Scotland frequently express the urgent need for new equipment.

“The widely accepted benchmark age at which equipment should be replaced is ten years.

“Older equipment is unreliable, requires expensive maintenance, is often operationally slower, and delivers a higher radiation dose to the population than more up-to-date devices.

“More modern equipment also provides enhanced images and is installed with AI and assistive technology, which reduces imaging time and delivers a better experience and outcomes for all patients.”

Meanwhile, Scotland’s largest health board has the most diagnostic machines, nearly half of all those it operates, that are over 10 years old, including 26 of its X-Ray machines, six MRI scanners and five CT scanners.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde reports that 21 of its X-Ray machines are more than 15 years old while the health board also uses a CT scanner that is 19 years old.

NHS Tayside also reports that just under half of its CT, MRI and X-Ray machines are over 10 years old, including a 20 year old X-Ray machine, still being used a decade after the recommended replacement time.

Commenting on the responses to its information request, Scottish Labour’s Health Spokesperson and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said:

“Patients might be forgiven for thinking they’re in the Scottish remake of ‘Back to the Future’ when they learn how old the machines providing vital medical information actually are.”

She added that the Scottish government must ensure hospitals are able to invest in the latest technology to not only reduce waiting times but also ensure “patients get the quick and accurate diagnoses” they need.

A Scottish government spokesperson said:

“The 2025-2026 Scottish Budget provides a record £21bn for health & social care, including £16.2bn for NHS boards to deliver key services and £200m to help reduce waiting times and improve capacity.” 

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