Patients at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are now benefiting from a new state‑of‑the‑art CT scanner and upgraded X‑ray facilities, delivering faster, more accurate diagnostics alongside a significantly improved patient and staff experience.
The major investment marks an important step forward for the hospital, strengthening clinical capability while supporting long‑term service resilience.
CT scanners produce high‑resolution, layered images of the body, giving clinicians rapid access to the detailed information they need to make accurate medical diagnoses.
The newly installed CT scanner offers enhanced imaging quality and brings a range of patient‑centred improvements designed to reduce anxiety and improve comfort during scans.
These include:
- A larger scanner ‘doughnut,’ creating a more comfortable experience
- Improved communication between clinicians and patients, supported by integrated cameras for patient monitoring
- A colour‑coded breath‑hold countdown, helping patients understand exactly when to hold their breath
- Atmospheric lighting, designed to create a calmer and more relaxing environment
The new CT technology also supports advanced image‑guided needle procedures, making complex interventions simpler, safer, and more precise.
Key clinical benefits include:
- Targeted needle path planning and guidance
- Image fusion, combining multiple imaging sources
- Laser‑guided needle insertion for biopsy procedures
These features enhance accuracy and efficiency, supporting better outcomes for patients undergoing diagnostic and interventional procedures.
Alongside the installation of new equipment, the imaging department has been refurbished and redesigned, creating a modern environment that benefits both patients and staff.
The Trust said the upgraded facilities improve patient comfort and confidence, workflow efficiency for clinical teams, and the overall working environment for colleagues.
The investment ensures imaging services remain robust and adaptable, supporting growing demand across the hospital.
Following installation, staff will undertake a comprehensive training programme, ensuring all colleagues are fully confident in using the new CT system and upgraded X‑ray equipment.
By combining advanced technology with training and improved facilities, the Trust is supporting a positive, efficient, and well‑resourced workplace, enabling teams to deliver consistently high‑quality care.
The Trust said the project represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, delivering tangible improvements in:
- Diagnostic capability
- Patient experience
- Staff experience
- Long‑term service sustainability
Kirsty Walker, Deputy Head of Imaging at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, said:
“As a specialist Orthopaedic hospital with a large number of oncology patients, CT-guided biopsies are an integral part of our care service but they require patients to undergo anaesthesia.
“Through careful planning and collaboration across teams, we were able to continue to provide these critical interventional treatments while we replaced our CT scanner. The temporary solution involved a second portable cabin to act as an anaesthesia and recovery suite for patients to receive treatment, comfortably and safely. Not only could we provide urgent CT-guided biopsies for our oncology patients, we were also able to continue providing CT-guided injections for our spinal patients without needing to refer them to other hospitals in the region while these works were underway.”
The new CT scanner and upgraded X‑ray facilities will play a critical role in supporting timely diagnosis and treatment for patients, reinforcing the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital’s commitment to innovation and excellence in care.
Image credit: iStock
