Paul Strickland Scanner Centre celebrates 30 years with visit from HRH The Duchess of Kent

A rare visit by HRH The Duchess of Kent made the 30th Anniversary celebration extra-special for patients and staff of Paul Strickland Scanner Centre. A local charity with its mission to provide vital, state-of-the-art scanning for the early diagnosis, monitoring and research of cancer and other life-limiting diseases, the Centre is based on the Mount Vernon Hospital site in Northwood.
Established by Dr Paul Strickland in 1985, the Centre marked this milestone with the launch of an Appeal to raise funds for a new CT scanner. During her welcome to guests, Claire Strickland, Chief Executive and daughter of the Centre’s founder, explained, “We do not receive any direct government funding, so we rely entirely on donations to fund our scanner replacement programme”. Ms Strickland continued “We have fantastic local support, however high-level scanners cost upwards of £1 million. This is why we desperately need continued support if we are to carry on giving our patients the very best diagnostic facilities. My father was incredibly proud of the Centre and its achievements and I can think of no better tribute to his work than to mark our 30th anniversary by funding a new CT scanner”.
Centre staff were joined on the day by supporters, sponsors, and special guests including the Mayor and Mayoress of Hillingdon, Cllrs George and Judith Cooper, our local Patron Wing Commander Edna Partridge and Bruce Houlder, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Guests were treated to music by the Harrow Apollo Male Choir while they enjoyed canapés and refreshments on the lawn, before the arrival of HRH The Duchess of Kent. The Duchess was presented with flowers by Eve Melsome (aged 3½) and spoke with patients and their families before unveiling a commemorative plaque. She commented, “I was honoured and grateful – on the 30th June 2015 – to have the opportunity to meet patients and their families at the launch of the Scanner Centre ‘s 30th Anniversary Appeal.”
As she was touring the facilities, HRH The Duchess of Kent also noted, “I am overjoyed to see the development of this extraordinary place since my last visit and to witness personally the very high quality standard of care to all the patients that come there for treatment.”

HRH unveiling plaque
HRH unveiling plaque

For further information, please contact Caroline Wren on 01923 844290 or [email protected]
Please  note:
Paul Strickland Scanner Centre is an independent medical charity based at the Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood, Greater London.

  • The Centre’s founder and Honorary Life President, Dr Paul Strickland OBE MB BS FRCR FRCP, was convinced that early scanning could save the lives of patients with cancer and other serious diseases.  He captured the imagination of the public and sufficient money was raised to obtain a CT scanner and an MRI scanner and the building to house them and in 1985 the Paul Strickland Scanner Centre opened its doors.
  • On average the Centre carries out more than 14,000 scans a year.  These scans provide clinicians with vital information which helps influence and monitor effectiveness of treatment.  In its 30 year history the charity has carried out more than 250,000 scans.
  • Anyone wishing to donate to the CT scanner appeal or take part in one of our fundraising events should contact the Appeals office on 01923 844290 or [email protected]