8 in 10 hospitals using outdated medical equipment as Lib Dems warn patients are being put at risk

EMBARGO: 2230 Monday 29th December 2025

8 in 10 hospitals are using hundreds of outdated machines such as X-Ray machines and MRI scanners as the Lib Dems warn that patients are being left at risk.

According to shocking new data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats, almost 400 (393)  X-ray machines, MRI scanners and radiotherapy treatment machines are over a decade old.

This comes despite advice from NHS England that CT and MRI scanners and X-ray machines should be replaced every ten years to ensure they continue to operate reliably and produce clear images.

Out of the 48 hospital trusts that responded, 38 were using X-Ray machines that were at least a decade old, and 21 were using MRI scanners that were at least a decade old. The oldest X-Ray machine was a staggering 30 years old at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust, whereas Plymouth Hospitals Trust had an 18 year old MRI scanner.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a dedicated Crumbling Hospitals Taskforce that would drive a ten year capital investment programme across the NHS. The programme would repair crumbling hospital and GP buildings and invest in new hospital machines and equipment to ensure every patient gets high quality care.

Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

“It is a scandal that life-saving diagnoses are being left to machines that may be older than the staff operating them. Our patients are being put at risk by ancient and unreliable equipment, whilst our hard-working staff are being pushed to breaking point.

“The potential for error from poor quality machines doesn’t bear thinking about. No one should have to worry about whether they will get an accurate reading from decade old equipment.

“Patients deserve better. That is why we’re calling for a new investment programme, overseen by a dedicated Crumbling Hospitals Taskforce. This would replace knackered machines, and repair sinking floors and crumbling roofs that have become so prevalent in our NHS.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Hospital trust data can be found here.