CT scanner at Spire Parkway to speed up diagnoses for private and NHS patients

More NHS and private patients will be scanned more quickly following delivery of a Canon Medical Systems Aquilion Prime SP CT scanner at Spire Parkway Hospital in Solihull. The £600,000 investment will provide more rapid diagnoses for more patients than previously possible, helping reduce the region’s diagnostic waiting lists.

Using the latest AI technology, the CT scanner will produce higher quality and more detailed diagnostic images, helping consultants deliver quicker and more accurate diagnoses. This scanner allows certain scans to be completed in a single rotation, which provides a quicker and more comfortable experience for patients. The scan table is also able to accommodate bariatric patients, so they can also be imaged more safely and comfortably.

The refurbished CT scanner suite includes a range of distract views on the ceiling and changeable LED lights in the room, providing a calming environment for patients of all ages. The distract views were chosen by patients at Spire Parkway Hospital, during a patient feedback forum.

One of the first NHS patients to be scanned using the new CT scanner, Mrs MacHale-Rickard, commented: “I was always nervous in hospitals, but I was made to feel safe and reassured by the excellent staff. The whole process was explained clearly and I found I was totally at ease. The CT room was light and airy, and the CT machine was quiet. Overall, a very good experience.”

Hospital director Emily Montgomery added: “Spire Parkway Hospital is committed to making sure everyone has access to a swift diagnosis and treatment. Investing in state-of-the-art facilities, like our new scanner, enables us to deliver the level of care our patients have come to expect and deserve.”

Lead picture: The Spire Parkway Hospital imaging team, with ceo Justin Ash second left, unveiling the new CT scanner.

Read this report on page 3 of the October 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.