Hinchingbrooke Hospital unveils the first GE HealthCare Revolution Vibe CT scanner
Hinchingbrooke Hospital, part of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, has unveiled the first GE HealthCare Revolution Vibe CT scanner in the UK and Ireland, marking a major milestone for diagnostic imaging in the region.
The installation not only replaces an end-of-life CT system but also supports the trust’s ambition to expand its imaging capabilities, including the introduction of a dedicated cardiac CT service. This will improve access to advanced, non-invasive cardiac imaging and reduce the need for patients to travel for specialist care.
Revolution Vibe was selected for its premium performance and advanced single-beat cardiac imaging capabilities. The decision reflects the trust’s strong partnership with GE HealthCare and a collaborative approach across clinical and operational teams, while delivering high-end technology at an accessible investment level.
As part of the evaluation process, the Hinchingbrooke team visited a leading European site in Germany, where they saw radiographer-led, cardiac CT in routine use. Scans were performed at any heart rate, with procedure times of around 10 minutes—demonstrating the potential to streamline pathways, improve efficiency, and enhance the patient experience.
The investment was supported by NHS Fit for the Future funding, enabling the trust to introduce both advanced CT capability and a more efficient cardiac imaging pathway.
“This scanner represents a transformational leap forward for our service”. said Emily Taylor-Neale, principal operational CT radiographer. “It enables us to deliver faster, highly effective imaging at lower radiation doses, while introducing cardiac CT capability that will greatly benefit our local community. Previously, many patients would have needed to travel for these scans. Thanks to NHS Fit for the Future funding, we are now equipped with a state-of-the-art system, and we are incredibly proud to be the first in the country to install it. My sincere thanks go to everyone involved, from the Trust and GE HealthCare, to TC Clarke and all project partners, whose collaboration ensured a successful delivery.”
Revolution Vibe brings a suite of advanced technologies to Hinchingbrooke Hospital. With up to 1300 mA power output, it supports low kV imaging while maintaining exceptional image quality. Its 160 mm z-coverage detector allows whole-heart imaging in a single rotation, eliminating banding artefacts, while the 0.23-second rotation speed enables imaging across all heart rates and can reduce the need for beta blockers.
Additional innovations include TrueFidelity DL for high-resolution imaging, a 1-Step Decision Tree supporting a consistent one-scan approach, and Smart Phase for automatic selection of optimal reconstruction phases. SnapShot Freeze 3 provides automated motion correction, and Cardiac Auto Views enables zero-click calcium scoring and coronary analysis. Together, these capabilities supports the potential for the delivery of a fully radiographer-led, drugless Cardiac CT service—transforming both efficiency and patient experience
The installation marks an exciting new chapter for Hinchingbrooke Hospital, reinforcing the trust’s commitment to innovation and bringing world-class imaging closer to the communities it serves.
Picture: Principal operational CT radiographer Emily Taylor-Neale, diagnostic imaging manager Nicola Leighton-Davies, FISS divisional operations director James Hender and principal operations manager Tom Lidgett.
This news story has been sponsored by the companies concerned and does not represent the views or opinions of RAD Magazine.
