Cannock’s CDC scans its first patients

News

The first patients have been scanned at the £15 million radiology facility at Cannock’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC). The purpose-built modular building is part of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and hosts the first of four scanners: two CT and two MRI systems costing around £1 million each.

The facility will employ 70 new staff and will take around 30,000 images a year, with 100 patients a week scanned, a figure that will increase. Patients in Cannock and South Staffordshire, as well as Wolverhampton and Walsall, will use the facility, easing the burden on New Cross Hospital and Walsall Manor Hospital.

Cannock Chase CDC CT scanner — Imaging assistant Kelly Taylor, head of operational radiology Lucy Willcox, group manager: diagnostic services Glen Whitehouse, patient Diane Lee, superintendent radiographer Sam Abbott, CT advanced practitioner Stacey Aulton-Birch, senior CT radiographer Leonard Gonzales and imaging assistant Paula Reed.

Diane Lee from Cannock was the first to be examined when she had a CT scan on her kidneys and bladder because of pressure on her bladder. She said: “The staff were so friendly and made me feel really comfortable and relaxed. I’d felt quite uptight because of having an injection but they reassured me I’d be alright. The surroundings helped too because it’s so nice – it is a beautiful facility and it was relaxing from start to finish.”

Trust group manager: diagnostic services Glen Whitehouse was pleased to welcome the first patients and said: “It was incredibly rewarding for the team to see all their ideas and efforts behind the CDC come to life as they started scanning on the first trust-run CT scanner in Cannock. “The unit will now gradually start seeing increasing numbers of patients as the two MRI and second CT scanner become operational over the coming weeks, and the site moves to 12-hour days, seven days per week.”

Cannock Chase CT scanner — Deputy superintendent radiographer (CT) Manisha Chandlar, patient Deborah Mercer, MRI/NI superintendent radiographer Sarah Brown and CT advanced practitioner Jane Crutchley.

The integration of the Canon Aquilion Prime SP CT scanners and Medrad Centargo injector systems enable faster and more precise imaging. Designed and delivered by Health Spaces, the project was under construction from May 2023.

Lead picture: Patient Diane Lee and trust group manager: diagnostic services Glen Whitehouse.

Published on the front page of the May 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.