Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) has become the first site in the UK to install a fully integrated imaging platform, combining the breakthrough NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting CT system from Siemens Healthineers with laser guided intervention software – two advanced technologies featuring a new type of high-resolution imaging with rapid acquisition times.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the technology is being used to support research and complex diagnostic and interventional imaging, where higher resolution, lower dose and greater procedural precision are set to offer significant clinical benefit.
As the first fully integrated setup of its kind in the UK, it enables real-time, laser guided interventions with a streamlined workflow. The trust is also exploring how the scanner’s advanced image quality could support broader diagnostic use – including the potential to simplify cardiovascular care pathways. In selected scenarios, it may reduce the need for invasive procedures such as diagnostic angiography by providing clearer, more comprehensive anatomical insight up front, helping to limit onward referrals and ease demand on catheterisation laboratory resources.
The NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting CT scanner from Siemens Healthineers represents a major leap from conventional CT systems currently in use in the NHS. The system utilises cadmium telluride crystals, a new type of detector material, which directly converts X-ray photons into electric signals. This preserves more information from each scan, resulting in sharper images, improved contrast and up to 45 per cent lower radiation dose.
At NUH, these improvements are particularly valuable in supporting complex imaging needs and improving safety for patients who require repeated scans or belong to dose-sensitive groups such as paediatric and pregnant patients. The scanner’s rapid acquisition speed and high resolution imaging also reduce the need for sedation in patients who are anxious or experience breathlessness, making procedures more accessible and less distressing for vulnerable groups.
Initial clinical applications at NUH will include liver biopsies and ablations, where both access and image clarity are critical. The integration of myNeedle Companion from Siemens Healthineers provides clinicians with laser alignment, angulation control and sub-millimetre image resolution, enabling them to reach challenging lesions more precisely, including those that require angled entry paths. At NUH, this is expected to reduce the need for more invasive alternatives by supporting accurate, image-guided procedures within a single session. In ablation cases, the system’s spectral capabilities offer iodine mapping to help confirm whether tumours have been fully treated.
Beyond clinical use in selected complex cases, the installation forms part of the hospital’s broader research strategy. Work is already underway to establish collaborations with other NHS and academic centres, with a focus on evaluating photon-counting CT across diagnostic and interventional workflows. The arrival of this technology has energised the radiology team, fostering a culture of innovation and pride in delivering world-class care, empowered by the latest technology. Its presence is also expected to support recruitment by attracting professionals who are passionate about working at the forefront of imaging science.
“This technology represents a generational leap in image quality, setting a new benchmark in procedural accuracy and diagnostic confidence,” states Dr Christopher Clarke, consultant GI & HPB radiologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. “It supports our clinical priorities and research ambitions – and signals a shift in how advanced imaging will be delivered across the NHS. I expect systems like this will define a new standard of care in the coming years and improve patient outcomes on a national scale.”
“Photon-counting CT marks a breakthrough in imaging by delivering sharper images at lower doses. Paired with our laser-guided intervention tools, it simplifies complex procedures and enhances patient comfort,” states Carl Smith, business area lead for CT at Siemens Healthineers Great Britain and Ireland. “We’re proud to support this innovation and help bring its benefits to frontline care.”
