80s singing legend opens new £1.9m MRI scanner at hospital

The 66-year-old rose to international fame as the lead singer of the new wave group, delivering iconic hits including True, Gold and Through The Barricades.

Mr Hadley is renowned for his powerful, expressive vocals and has enjoyed a successful solo career since leaving the band, whilst also pursuing stage work and radio presenting.

The singer recently joined the push to save The Rose & Thistle in Haddenham near Thame, over the Oxfordshire border in Buckinghamshire.

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The Chiltern Hospital.

Villagers are aiming to reopen the historic coaching inn, which dates back to the 18th century, but closed in 2019.

Mr Hadley has urged people to buy shares to back the crowdfunding campaign and said: “It’s a fantastic little pub – I have been there many times in the past.

“We have to preserve our village and small town pubs.”

Now, the singer has helped open a brand new MRI scanner at The Chiltern Hospital just over the Oxfordshire border in Buckinghamshire.

Mr Hadley joined hospital staff and clinicians on Friday (August 14) to cut the ribbon on the facility’s second MRI scanner, marking the latest stage of a wider investment programme aimed at expanding diagnostic and imaging services.

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The Chiltern Hospital, a 65-bed private hospital in Great Missenden, provides services including orthopaedics, cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery and gynaecology.

During his visit, Mr Hadley met members of staff and doctors, who spoke about the role advanced imaging technology plays in helping to deliver accurate diagnoses and support patient care across South Buckinghamshire.

The new scanner, a SIGNA Voyager system manufactured by GE Healthcare, is designed to improve both image quality and patient comfort.

Features include lightweight and flexible air coils that adapt to a patient’s body shape, alongside mood lighting intended to create a calmer environment during scans.

The scanner also uses deep learning technology to improve image resolution, reduce noise and provide greater anatomical detail, helping clinicians obtain clearer diagnostic images.

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Forecasts from The Chiltern Hospital suggest the additional scanner will allow around 80 extra patients each week to undergo specialist imaging.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr Hadley was joined by Circle Health Group chief operating officer Owen James and chief clinical and quality officer Adam Busby for a tour of the imaging department led by clinical services manager Louise Walker.

Commenting on the opening, the singer said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the opening of this amazing MRI scanner. This incredible piece of equipment will be invaluable.

“Thank you so much for asking me and anything that advances medical science is absolutely fantastic!”

Louise Walker, Clinical Services Manager at The Chiltern Hospital, said: “Today marks an exciting milestone as we open our new MRI unit, combining cutting-edge technology with a calming patient-centred environment to improve access, reduce waiting times, and enhance the care our dedicated and compassionate imaging team provides to our community.”