A new scanning unit has been opened at the Royal United Hospital in Bath to help increase capacity for the thousands of patients who visit the radiology department each year.
Di Pressdee, Team Lead Radiographer for CT and MRI | Photo © RUH
The extension at the RUH, at the rear of the existing radiology department, houses a high specification Siemens CT scanner which can produce detailed images of the inside of the body, including organs, blood vessels and bones.
The latest addition follows a £7.5M improvement project which was completed last year, making the department one of the most modern and best-equipped in the South West.
The project saw two older MRI scanners, used to examine most parts of the body, including bones and joints, stripped back to their powerful magnet and rebuilt on site with the latest scanning technology.
Each scan room that houses them was also refurbished, which included replacing the Radiofrequency cage which lines the room as well as a complete refit of their control areas.
An older CT scanner was also removed and replaced with the latest model. Its scanning room and control area were also refurbished.
It means the Radiology Department at the Bath hospital now has seven modern MRI and CT scanners as well as X-ray and ultrasound facilities.
The department also has a PET-CT scanner used in the detection and diagnosis of cancer and dementia. There are also larger and improved waiting areas for patients.
Di Pressdee, Team Lead Radiographer for CT and MRI, said: “The new scanner is a fantastic addition to our first-class Radiology department and will enable an increase in scanner capacity for both inpatients and outpatients over the coming months.
“Staff have worked very hard to get the new equipment installed as quickly as possible, along with the building and commissioning of the new unit.
“On average, around 275,000 patients come for imaging in the Radiology department each year – of which, over 60,000 are for CT and MRI scans – and they will really benefit from this great new technology.”
