Christie Scanning and Imaging Centre brochure

THE NEED FOR A NEW SPACE

When originally built in 1980, our CT department was seeing just 20 patients a day. Now it is one of the busiest in the hospital seeing more than 15,000 patients a year (that’s almost 60 a day) with approximately 31,700 scans carried out a year.

Not surprisingly we have grown out of the current facilities and need more space and new equipment. The current department is no longer fit for purpose as it is cramped in both the waiting and treatment areas, with a muddled layout and very little privacy. The waiting area is no longer able to accommodate all our patients and relatives, and it is often difficult to find space for wheelchair users. The department has separate reception and waiting areas for CT scans, ultrasound, and X-rays, which can be confusing for patients and can add to their anxiety when attending the hospital for tests.

Due to the layout of the department, many of the administrative elements of the booking process, including patient queries, are handled in the reception area which can compromise patient confidentiality and privacy as conversations can be overheard. To improve outcomes for patients we carry out biopsies, not only for diagnosis purposes, but also for much needed research. Given the limited space in the department, it is difficult to perform these procedures, particularly when the patient has limited mobility and requires transport aids.

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