Hospital Scanner is First in the Region

Heartlands-Hospital-scanner-pic-two1Heartlands Hospital is celebrating the arrival of a new scanner, the first of its kind in the region and only the second to be installed in the NHS. The new CT scanner, known as a Toshiba Aquilion One 320 Slice, has the ability to scan an entire body part in one rotation and in less than a second. This is a fraction of the time compared to previously available CT scanners, resulting in the patient’s investigation being completed more quickly, and radiologists able to access the scan results within seconds for a faster diagnosis.

The CT scanner also offers the lowest radiation dose available to patients, along with providing a very high scan quality. For use in examining all the major body parts and imaging whole organs in real time, it is expected to revolutionise the means of treating patients, especially those with chest pain and stroke.

Dr Madava Djearaman, Heartlands consultant cardiothoracic radiologist said:

“This cutting edge technology will enable us to offer patients the best quality of care by improving diagnostic accuracy, particularly for patients arriving at the Hospital with symptoms of chest pain. As the scanner works more efficiently than previous scanners, we are also already seeing a steady increase in the amount of patients we are able to see and treat per day.”

Dr Lowri Morus, clinical director of radiology said:

“At a cost of just over £2m, the scanner represents a substantial financial investment in radiology services and demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to providing a world class service to the patients of the region.”

The radiology department at Heartlands has also benefited from a new, dedicated CT suite, housing its two CT scanners back to back, as well as improved patient reception and waiting areas.

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