09/01/2023
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY to our page!
It's 4 years today since we launched this page, and we've gone from strength to strength. In the last four years we've been through a pandemic, had 3 different managers, got loads of new equipment and recruited into lots of new roles. We've transformed our CT service from an on-call service to a 24 hour shift system and lots more - including charity events that we've participated in.
2022 saw the following activity:
Ultrasound: 2 new systems bought with money from Health Education England to help with training new Sonographers and registrars. Opening of a new interventional ultrasound room which is used for prostate biopsies. A new reporting system for obstetric ultrasound has been introduced which reduces operator error and improve the journey for our patients.
CT: We have success stories in staff completing post graduate certificates in their chosen modalities, we have a radiographer who has set up a CT head reporting service with a second one ready to join her. We introduced a Radiographer lead cardiac CT service.
MRI: 2022 marked the replacement of the old MRI scanner at St Luke's with a new state of the art machine, which is wide-bore and very popular with patients (and staff)
Plans for 2023:
Across the department we are looking at investing in new equipment to replace old out-of-date kit. A new MRI scanner will be up and running early March on the BRI site. It is a state-of-the-art wide bore scanner and includes an ambient experience to put patients at ease during their examination. The 11 year old CT scanner at St Luke's will be replaced late summer, offering quicker scans with lower x-ray dose. Ultrasound will be expanding their portfolio of examinations when they introduce their liver elastography service - which will help to monitor the extent of liver disease. The interventional vascular service is about to be expanded to include a day ward where patients can be admitted and monitored without the need to wait for a hospital bed to become available.
The future of the department is looking very good - and we thank you for following our journey. Happy New Year :)
