Cutting edge kit bringing detection to the doorstep
A new specialist scanner at aims to give patients in Sunderland and County Durham cutting edge diagnostic treatment on their doorstep.
The PET-CT scanner – one of the most advanced pieces of diagnostic equipment used by the NHS – helps to detect cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders and means patients can have scans without having to travel to Newcastle or Middlesbrough.
Patients from South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham will be scanned at the hospital every Saturday while construction gets under way on the new £10m Integrated Diagnostic Centre.
The mobile unit, operated by Alliance Medical – South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s longtime partner in scanning services – leads the way for when the new centre has its own permanent version of the kit.
Among the first patients to undergo a check was Eileen Moseley, 75, from Pennywell in Sunderland, who was able to have as can ahead of the one planned in Newcastle.
Eileen said :“The staff were absolutely lovely. If I’d had to go to Newcastle, it would have been a trek and I was happy I was able to get it done sooner than expected.”
The Trust’s chief executive Ken Bremner, said: “We are delighted to have the PE TC T scanner on site and be able to offer this specialist treatment to patients much closer to their home.
“Whilst we are eager to see our Integrated Diagnostic Centre start to take shape this year, this scanner increases our capacity and reaffirms our commitment to investing in outstanding facilities that will benefit local people for years to come.”
The Integrated Diagnostic Centre in South Tyneside will include cutting edge MRI and CT scanning equipment, clinical consultation rooms, as well as a‘ docking’ station for mobile scanners that may be needed in future to cope with the ever-rising demand.
Patients in Sunderland and Durham will still be able to access scans at Sunderland Royal Hospital and Durham Treatment Centre, but will have the choice of an appointment in South Tyneside once the new Integrated Diagnostic Centre is operational.
David Cahill, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer from Alliance Medical said: “The mobile scanner as well as the new static scanner being built will ensure we can further provide the best access to patients and our NHS partners.”