Patients
Medical imaging for accurate diagnosis and treatment
Are you awaiting an appointment for a CT scan, MRI scan, DEXA scan, ultrasound scan, breast imaging or an x-ray?
Modern scans are incredibly detailed and are often the best method for examining patients accurately – and detecting the extent of illness and injury.
Many people feel apprehensive about having a scan, especially for the first time. Yet the information and diagnosis a scan gives is often the first step in treatment and early recovery.
You pass through a CT scanner in seconds. Modern scanners are fast, painless and effective.
Most injuries, diseases and medical conditions can be diagnosed using medical imaging technology.
As you pass through the scanner unit, the machine takes detailed images of parts of the body:
- Heart, arteries and veins
- Ear, nose, throat
- Bones and joints
- Brain, spine and nervous system
- Lungs
- Kidneys and urinary tract
- Breast.
As consultant radiologists, we use these images to compile a detailed, medical report on a patient’s condition. The report gives a thorough diagnosis and recommendations to guide treatment.
Types of scan
If you would like to find out more about different types of scan and how doctors use them to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, you may find these sites useful:
- DEXA scan
- CT scan (computerised tomography and sometimes called CAT scans)
- MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Ultrasound
- Breast imaging
- X-ray.
Other sources of information which may help you are:
- Royal College of Radiologists
- The National Osteoporosis Society
- NHS Choices
What consultant radiologists do
We see patients of all ages from new-borns to adults in later life.
We are fully trained medical doctors who then specialise in radiology. We work with the clinician or doctor who referred you to us for the examination.
After your scan, we look at all the images and produce a report of the findings taking into account all the clinical details provided to us by either yourself or your referrer.
The report gives your referring doctor or clinician a thorough description of your condition and helps guide them as to which treatment you may or may not need.
How to get referred to a radiologist
We accept requests for x-rays and scans only from qualified medical professionals: GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and dentists.
Please contact your doctor with specific medical questions and to request a referral to a radiologist.