NCIMI is the National Consortium of Intelligent Medical Imaging, a consortium which aims to more intelligently use medical imaging to improve diagnosis and treatments of a wide range of diseases.

Haemochromatosis UK is a founding member of the consortium, which is being led by the University of Oxford and is funded by Innovate UK over 3 years. The programme is developing medical imaging diagnostic tools to help identify conditions, including genetic haemochromatosis.

Haemochromatosis UK is collaborating with Perspectum Diagnostics and GE to undertake a medical research study. We are conducting this research to get information about the iron overload of people with haemochromatosis.  We hope to be able to use this information in the future to more easily diagnose others who may have the condition. 

The trial will involve approximately 1,000 people taking part in this study across the UK.  The study is expected to last about 3 years and will be run from 7 hospital centres in England, Wales & Scotland.

Haemochromatosis UK is involved in recruiting participants for the trial and providing support to people as they go through the process. Additionally, we are providing genetic counselling and helpline advice services to help people in the trial better understand their condition and the possible genetic implications for their family members.

The trial is free to join and involves participants completing a questionnaire to provide us with some information about their medical history and any recent medical treatments.  Participants will also attend a local hospital or treatment centre for 1-2 hours to have an MRI scan and then a small blood sample and a saliva sample will be taken.  The MRI scan should take about 20 minutes. The medical images gathered during the trial will be stored securely and anonymously within the Big Data Institute at the University of Oxford. Researchers will use the data to better understand haemochromatosis and ways of diagnosing the condition using medical imaging techniques.