Hospital of Saint John & Saint Elizabeth > Services > Imaging Services

Imaging Services

The Imaging Department is situated on the ground floor of the Hospital with easy access from the Main Entrance and Outpatient Department. A major redevelopment programme in 2005 saw all of the existing X-ray and Ultrasound equipment replaced with state-of-the-art Digital Imaging Equipment ensuring we continue to offer our patients the best in modern imaging.

The department is staffed by State Registered Radiographers and Consultant Radiologistsand operates in accordance with guidelines produced by the Royal College of Radiologists and College of Radiographers. Experienced Receptionists, Medical Secretaries and Health Care Assistants complete the team delivering care within the Imaging Department.

Services Available

The department is equipped and staffed to provide the following service:

General Radiography

2 "state-of-the-art" fully digital x-ray rooms

A full range of plain film skeletal radiography using low dose digital radiography.

Breast Imaging – Full field Digital Mammography & High Definition Ultrasound

Mammography, Breast Ultrasound, Fine needle aspiration and Breast biopsy, Breast MRI.

Digital Fluoroscopy

Barium Studies, GU Tract, Pain Management Procedures, Percutaneous Vertebroplasty.

Interventional Procedures

Biopsy, Aspiration, Drain insertion and pain management procedure under X-ray, Ultrasound or CT Control.

Ultrasound Scanning

Routine abdominal and pelvic scans, transrectal prostate scanning, transvaginal pelvic scanning, musculoskeletal scan, ultrasound guided biopsy, ultrasound pain management/ joint injections.

Non-invasive Vascular Assessment (Ultrasound)

Venous and arterial assessment of the Arms and Legs, Carotids and Aorta using colour doppler ultrasound.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

1.5 Tesla Magnet for a wide range of examinations including, joint imaging, neuro and spinal imaging, breast imaging, abdominal and pelvic imaging.

Multislice Spiral Computerised Tomography (CT Scanning)

64 slice “volume” scanner with a wide range of applications including, Dental Assessment, QCT Bone Densitometry, Virtual Colonoscopy, CT Angiography, Specialist Cardiac Investigation including Calcium Scoring and Cardiac CT Angiography, CT Urography.

Opening Hours

The department is open for general enquiries and appointments:

Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 8.00 pm
Saturday: 9.00 am – Midday

Referrals

Referrals are accepted from registered medical practitioners (GP’s and Consultants)
To comply with statutory legislation, a request form or letter of referral, completed by a registered medical practitioner is required for each examination – faxes are acceptable. 020 7806 4002
All imaging is performed and reported on by suitable qualified and experienced Radiographers, Sonographers and Consultant Radiologists, in accordance with the codes of practice of the College of Radiographers and Royal College of Radiologists

Appointments

To avoid delays and ensure correct patient preparation, appointments are required for all examinations. These can be arranged by telephone on 020 7806 4030
Same day appointments are usually available for plain x-ray examinations and routine ultrasound scans.
Appointments for CT, MRI and other complex examinations will be offered for the first available appointment.

Patient Preparation Instructions

Specific preparation instruction for each investigation or procedure will be given when booking the appointment.
Where possible, appointment details and preparation instructions will be posted out to those patients who book over the telephone.
A full range of preparation instructions and information leaflets can be found by clicking here (link to prep sheets PDF’s)

Examination Results

The results for all examinations are sent to the referring doctor and where possible we strive to provide a “same day” service.

Urgent results are telephoned or faxed to at the earliest opportunity.
Plain X-ray, Barium Studies, Ultrasound and Vascular Assessment results are dispatched within one working day.
Mammography results may take up to 3 working days.
Specialist investigations e.g. CT and MRI scans, are reported by a radiologist with particular expertise in that field - this may take several days, but the delay is always kept to a minimum.

Key Personnel

Rebecca Steele – Imaging Services Manager
Lesley Watson – Deputy Manager / Chief Mammographer
Mark Ward – Lead Radiographer CT & MRI

Radiologists

Please visit this page for details of the team of Consultant Radiologists and Specialist sonographers who practice at St John and St Elizabeth.

Hospital of Saint John and Saint Elizabeth - you are in good hands