Currently, residents of the Ambert area must travel at least 1 hour and 15 minutes for an MRI, to Clermont-Ferrand or Saint-Étienne. The project to install an MRI at Ambert Hospital, approved by the state via the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in September, was presented to the hospital's supervisory board on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
For Sébastien Cladière, deputy director of Ambert Hospital, the primary concern is access to care. "An Ambert resident needing an MRI, for a routine check-up or especially in case of a stroke, has to travel at least 1h15. However, MRI access should be within 50 minutes," he stated. For a stroke, every minute counts, and bringing the examination closer saves precious time.
The project timeline is now set. The machine selection is scheduled for November 10, followed by approximately one year of construction. The scanner is targeted for commissioning on January 1, 2028. It will be located next to the CT scanner, acquired in 2020, and close to the emergency services, creating a "true technical platform".
This 1.8 million euro project benefited from collective mobilization. The ARS is supporting the initiative with 500,000 euros. An application for European FEDER funds has been submitted to the Region, with an envelope of around 885,000 euros, awaiting a decision in December. The Omerin Foundation, several local municipalities, and numerous donors have responded to the hospital's call for donations, and a participatory loan is under consideration. The APSCHA (Association of Health Professionals of Ambert Hospital) has also strongly committed to making the project a reality.
