Work to refurbish the X-ray Department at Furness General Hospital (FGH) and improve patient experience has been completed.
The revamp has included the creation of a new X-ray room, which is a state-of-the-art digital radiography suite. This room will be used primarily for outpatient and GP patients and should reduce waiting times.
A new SPECT-CT suite with a virtual ceiling has been installed. The SPECT-CT equipment will replace the existing gamma camera and has the addition of an integral CT scanner. This new equipment uses functional nuclear medicine images fused with the anatomical detail of a CT scan and is the first scanner of this type in the Trust.
Waiting areas have been refurbished, changing cubicles for patients have been built and new flooring, ceilings, lighting, decoration and furniture installed. The Trust’s Capital Services Team planned, project managed and commissioned the work in-house.
Joanne Park, Deputy Head of Department, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), said: “The X-ray department at FGH has undergone a radical transformation over the last 12 months. We are delighted with the installation of the new equipment and their capabilities will ensure the patients of Morecambe Bay can access the latest in diagnostic imaging. The new waiting room will definitely improve patient experience and has been refurbished with a new play area, virtual ceiling and comfortable seating.”
The department saw 100,061 patients in 2018 who needed radiological examinations.
Patients who have experienced using the new SPECT-CT scanner commented on the improved environment and many have expressed their appreciation of the feature ceiling which provides a pleasant focus when having their examination.
The Trust’s inpatient, outpatient and emergency departments can refer patients to the X-ray department and local GPs and dentists have open access Monday to Friday, meaning they can send patients without an appointment.
Dee Houghton, Director of Operations for Community, UHMBT, said: “We are delighted to announce that work has now been completed on the X-ray department at FGH and the overall results are fantastic.
“Patient care and experience are paramount to the Trust and we feel that the new facilities will ensure that we can provide patients with a positive experience.”