United Kingdom Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

United Kingdom Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

The United Kingdom diagnostic imaging equipment market is estimated to be USD 1,064.03 million in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 1,514.34 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.16% from 2022 to 2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected healthcare systems and resulted in the interruption of usual care in many healthcare facilities, exposing vulnerable patients to significant risks. The restrictions imposed by the government in the country have suspended the diagnosis and treatment facilities which have impacted the studied market. For instance, according to research published by the British Institute of Radiology, in December 2020, titled "Impact of COVID-19 on Imaging services in the United Kingdom", elective imaging services essentially ceased at the start of complete lockdown (23rd March 2020 in the United Kingdom) and the number of elective referrals from secondary care has decreased significantly. In addition, the government has imposed restrictions on the usage of various diagnostic equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), as there are high chances of contamination with the usage of large equipment. Thus, the increased restrictions and high risk of contamination with the equipment are expected to restrict its usage by clinicians which are likely to impact the market growth.

However, the increased usage of diagnostic imaging equipment to early diagnose and examine the conditions among the population is expected to have a significant positive impact on the market. For instance, in April 2020, the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database (NCCID) was launched in the United Kingdom that provides a more comprehensive understanding of COVID-19, collating X-Rays, Computed Tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan data from 20 National Health Services (NHS of England and Wales) trusts across the country to detect disease patterns and markers of the virus, using artificial intelligence (AI), which, in turn, enables more precise early diagnoses, prognoses and inform new treatments. Additionally, according to research published by the British Institute of Radiology, in September 2020, titled "Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on radiology practice findings from UK radiography workforce survey", it has been observed that the use of radiotherapy has increased, as the first definitive treatment for cancer in response to a reduction in surgical capacity during the acute phase of the pandemic in the United Kingdom. Thus, the increased use of diagnostic imaging equipment is expected to augment the market growth over the forecast period.

Certain factors that are driving the market growth include the prevalence of chronic diseases and the growing adoption of advanced technologies in medical imaging.

The incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, cancer, neurological disorders, and others are increasing rapidly in the country which is rising the demand for diagnostic equipment. For instance, as per the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in December 2020, around 137,000 people were having Parkinson's disease in the United Kingdom 2020. Additionally, according to a study published by British Heart Foundation, in July 2020, approximately 7.5 million people were living with heart disease in the United Kingdom, and nearly 170,000 deaths each year were reported with an average of 460 people dying each day. Similarly, according to the Globocan 2020 fact sheet, the United Kingdom reported about 457,960 new cases of cancer in 2020. The most prevalent forms were prostate, breast, colorectum, lung, and melanoma cancer. Also, as per the same source, the cases of cancer are expected to reach 528,902 by 2030 and 595,909 by 2040, which shows an increasing burden of cancer in the country. Thus, the rising burden of chronic diseases among the population is expected to rise the demand for diagnostic equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), ultrasound, and X-rays to early diagnose the condition and diseases, thereby boosting the market growth.

In addition, the increasing geriatric population who are more prone to develop chronic diseases such as musculoskeletal diseases, joint problems, and cardiovascular and neurological disorders are also contributing to the growth of the market. For instance, according to the statistics published by Gov.UK, in July 2022, titled "Statistical commentary: Dementia profile, March 2021 update", in England, the prevalence rate of dementia and Alzheimer’s was 4% in the patient population aged 65 years and above. In addition, as per the same source, in England, an estimated dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis rate was 62.4% in people aged 65 years and above, in 2022. Thus, the rising burden of age-related diseases among the population is expected to increase the demand for diagnostic imaging equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting brain abnormalities associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is expected to rise the demand for diagnostic imaging equipment, thereby boosting the market growth.

Furthermore, the emergence of automated diagnostic imaging scanners, advanced technology, and increasing company activities in research and development of diagnostic imaging equipment are also expected to propel the market growth. For instance, in May 2021, Fujifilm (Hitachi, Ltd.) revealed the results of Europe's first real-world trial of the FDR Xairportable X-ray system in community care. The trial, which was conducted in collaboration with Fujifilm (Hitachi, Ltd.) United Kingdom, Northumbria Healthcare, National Health Services (NHS) Foundation Trust, and the Northeast Ambulance Service National Health Services (NHS) Foundation Trust, resulted in a significant reduction in hospitalizations. Similarly, in November 2020, Agfa delivered two new direct radiography retrofit systems with MUSICA image processing to the Royal Brompton Facility in London. This new radiography retrofit system allows the hospital to update its mobile and stationary X-ray capabilities from computed radiography (CR) to direct radiography (DR).

However, expensive procedures and equipments are likely to restrain the market growth.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segment is expected to witness significant growth in the market owing to the factors such as an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, cancer, and others, coupled with the increasing geriatric population and the rising technological advancements. For instance, as per the 2021 United Kingdom Factsheet, as of January 2022, around 7.6 million people (4 million are male and 3.6 million female) are living with heart and circulatory diseases in the United Kingdom. Also, according to the Globocan 2020 fact sheet, 53,889 new cases of breast cancer and 56,780 new cases of prostate cancer were recorded in the United Kingdom, in 2020. Thus, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases among the population is expected to increase the demand for diagnostic imaging equipment for the detection of cancer/tumor and cardiac conditions as well as in the planning of treatment such as surgery or other therapy for patients, which is expected to fuel the market growth.

In addition, according to the research study published in February 2020, titled “Recognition of Brain Metastases Using Gadolinium-Enhanced SWI MRI: Proof-of-Concept Study”, when added to T1-Gd and other common sequences, gadolinium-enhanced SWI (SWI-Gd) may improve the diagnostic yield of brain metastases with only a few extra minutes of scanning time and no further risk than that of a regular gadolinium-enhanced MRI. This promotes the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with other techniques for enhanced accuracy, which is expected to have a significant impact on the growth of the studied segment.

Furthermore, the rising company activities in developing advanced diagnostic equipment and establishing diagnostic facilities are expected to increase the demand for these types of equipment, thereby boosting the market growth. For instance, in July 2021, a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner facility opened in Leicester, for EUR 3.1 billion. This will increase the imaging capacity of researchers to image up to 1500 more cardiovascular research subjects per year. In addition, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has granted EUR 1 million for this new scanner facility which will be jointly owned by Leicester’s Hospitals with a grant of EUR 1 billion. Similarly, in March 2021, Royal Free hospital in the United Kingdom installed 3 brand new high field 3T MRI scanners to, boost scanning capacity and, improved image quality and cutting-edge scanning procedures.

Moreover, according to the data published by the National Health Service England, in May 2022, titled "Diagnostic Imaging Dataset Statistical Release", the total number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures performed on National Health Services (NHS) patients in England was around 3,729,620 (as of Januray 2021 - January 2022). In addition, 299,615 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures were performed in January 2022 as compared to the 299,615 procedures in December 2021. Thus, the increasing number of imaging procedures in England is expected to boost the studied segment growth over the forecast period.

Thus, the increasing burden of chronic diseases among the population and growing investments by the government and hospitals to establish scanning facilities is expected to increase the demand for various advanced diagnostic imaging equipment, thereby propelling the market growth.

The market studied is consolidated owing to the presence of a few major players in the market. The market players are focusing on research and development activities to develop technologically advanced products in order to reduce the cost and side effects associated with the products. The barriers for the new entrants are high in this industry, and hence few major market players hold the maximum market share. Some of the key players in the market include Carestream Health Inc., Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (Hitachi, Ltd.), GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Siemens Healthineers and Esaote SpA.

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