European Commission must acknowledge risk to MRI Scanners

12.00.00am GMT Fri 12th Jan 2007

Since 2004 Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne, who is Member of the European Parliament's Employment Committee, has warned about the impact of a European Directive on MRI Scanners.

As it currently stands, the Electromagnetic Fields Directive, which comes into force in the UK in 2008, will limit the time that operators will be able to spend near MRI machines when they are in use. The directive will also prohibit new uses of MRI technology, pioneered by UK hospitals, which let doctors see how treatments are working.

"When this directive was going through the European Parliament in 2004, I fought unsuccessfully to have MRI scanners left out of the remit of the directive.

"The evidence from the medical profession, then as now, was overwhelmingly against restricting the use of MRI scanners. These are vital machines which can save lives; limiting their use will leave doctors reliant on less successful, more dangerous procedures.

"The European Commission & Governments across the European Union are beginning to realise the severe implications of this Directive on medical treatment. I am strongly urging the Commission to amend this piece of legislation before bodies are laid at its door. The sooner this situation is remedied the better. "

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Liz Lynne has tabled a Parliamentary Question to the European Commission asking them to consider an amendment to the 2004 Electro Magnetic Fields Directive.

Attached are pictures of Liz Lynne MEP at Warwick Hospital, talking to staff about the repercussions of the Directive