Media Release
Date: 20 July 2021
RUH opens new Radiology scanning unit
A new scanning unit has opened at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust which is set to increase scanner capacity for the thousands of patients who visit the Radiology department each year.
The new extension, 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.
This new addition to the RUH's Radiology department follows a £7.5M improvement project that 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 removed and replaced with the latest model. Its scanning room and control area was also refurbished.
It means the Radiology Department 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."
ENDS