X-ray clinics return in Crieff
Weekly sessions to help cut scan backlog
Weekly X-ray clinics are being reinstated at Crieff Community Hospital.
Regional health board NHS Tayside announced the move as restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic continue to ease.
It comes as additional scans and X- rays are being carried out at Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) in a bid to reduce patients’ waiting times.
Pat i e nts are being offered appointments at weekends and evenings as the health board works its way through a backlog caused by the Covid- 19 outbreak.
A spokesperson for the health board explained additional capacity has been provided across NHS Tayside for X-rays, MRI scans and ultrasound scans.
But the bulk of additiona l computerised topography (CT) scans for patients from all over the NHS Tayside area – including Angus and Dundee – will be done in Perth.
An additional mobile CT unit has been set up at PRI - doubling the number of appointments and including appointments on evenings and weekends.
The health board has said the mobile unit will be at PRI until at least March 31, 2022.
And there will be additional evening and weekend appointments offered for MRI scans.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “There is a requirement for additional MRI/CT/US scans across NHS Tayside, not just in Perth and Kinross.
“Additional capacity has been provided across the region, however, the majority of additional capacity for certain scans such as CT is within PRI.”
The spokesperson continued: “To reduce waiting times across the region, the radiology department at Perth Royal Infirmary is providing an extended range of services for outpatient scans and X-rays. These include weekly X-ray clinics at Crieff Community Hospital.
“These services will benefit patients from all areas of Tayside and will ensure that your imaging takes place as soon as possible.
“Please try to keep your appointment at PRI but if you cannot attend, please call us to cancel so that the appointment can be offered to someone else.
“The team can be contacted on 01738 473864 for CT and X- ray and 01356 665092 for MRI radiology services at PRI.”