Radiology Services
We offer a range of services across our departments. For more information on our services please see below. If you have an appointment in one of our departments, please refer to your appointment letter for further information on your exam and what preparation is required prior to your visit.
What is an X-ray?
An X-ray is a quick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body. It’s a very effective way of looking at the bones and can be used to help detect a range of conditions.
How to prepare for an X-ray
There isn’t usually any preparation for a typical X-ray exam but if any preparation is required, this information will be provided at the time of booking your appointment or on your appointment letter.
Chest X-ray Walk-in Service
We currently offer a walk-in service for GP X-ray Chest referrals.
If you have recently seen your GP and are referred to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or The Princess Royal Hospital for an X-ray of your chest you can attend our walk-in service. This may have been discussed with you during your GP appointment.
Please note that this service is only available for adults. Paediatric patients still require a pre-booked appointment.
You must attend within 28 days of seeing your GP, otherwise the request will be cancelled and your GP will be informed.
X-ray Chest Walk-in Service at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Monday-Friday
1pm-4pm
Main X-ray, Outpatients Department
Excluding Bank Holidays
For any queries, please call 01743 261172
X-ray Chest Walk-in Service at Hollinswood House CDC
Monday-Friday
9.30am-10.45am
Ground Floor
Excluding Bank Holidays
For any queries, please call 01952 565796
Further information
For more information on X-ray please visit the NHS website.
What is a CT?
A Computerised Tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. CT scans are sometimes referred to as CAT scans or Computed Tomography scans.
How to prepare for a CT
If any preparation is required, this information will be provided at the time of booking your appointment or on your appointment letter.
Many CT examinations involve you having a contrast medium injected into a vein to increase the amount of information obtained from the scan. The injection enhances various organs and arteries/veins within the body. The injection usually causes nothing more than a warm feeling passing around the body.
If you have had a previous CT in the last 6 weeks or have any questions regarding your appointment, please contact us once you receive this letter.
What happens during the CT scan?
You will be taken into the CT room and asked to lie down on the CT couch. You may have a needle inserted into your arm at this point ready for the injection of contrast medium. The injection is often done with a mechanical pump rather than by hand as the contrast can be difficult to inject, but usually the Radiographer is with you for the initial part of the injection.
The couch will be moved slowly to position the part of the body under investigation within the doughnut shaped CT scanner. Please note it is not a tunnel you will be moved into, and you can always see light.
The Radiographer will then move to the control room but will still be able to see you and speak to you via an intercom. During the scan you will have to keep as still as possible, and you may be asked to hold your breath or swallow while each image is produced. If you feel any discomfort or are apprehensive, please speak to the Radiographer who is looking after you.
How long will it take?
The scanning process itself generally only takes 20 mins from start to finish. Sometimes we must fit in patients from A&E or the wards that require an urgent scan, this can mean your appointment may be a little delayed, although we will try to keep your wait as short as possible.
Can I bring a relative/friend?
Yes, but for reasons of health and safety they cannot accompany you into the room except under very exceptional circumstances. Please be aware also that seating outside the scanner room is restricted.
Who will you see?
You will be cared for by a small team including a Radiologist and Radiographers. The Radiographer usually carries out the scan, gives you your oral preparation and carries out the injection. The Radiologist will look later at the images before writing a report on the findings.
Are there any risks?
CT scanning does involve X-rays, and so has the usual risks associated with ionising radiation. The amount of radiation is more than is used for an ordinary X-ray of the body and can be equal to the natural radiation we all receive from the atmosphere over a period of approximately 3 years. This adds very slightly to the risk of, for example, developing a cancer. However, the added risk is very small, and your doctor/consultant will have weighed all these risks against the benefits of the examination before they referred you.
Because of the radiation, if you could be pregnant must inform a member of staff before the scan.
If you have an injection of contrast, there is a slight risk of an allergic reaction to the contrast. These are usually only mild such as a skin rash, but please tell the Radiographer looking after you if you are aware of any symptoms.
If you have had a reaction to a previous injection of contrast or have had a severe allergic reaction to anything else, please tell the Radiographer.
Please also mention to the Radiographer if you have had kidney problems in the past or are a diabetic taking a tablet called Metformin.
Can I eat and drink afterwards?
Yes, eat and drink normally. If you have had an injection of contrast, you will be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to help your kidneys ‘flush’ the dye out of your system.
Further information
For more information on CT please visit the NHS website.
What is an MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. An MRI scanner is a large tube that contains powerful magnets. You lie inside the tube during the scan.
How to prepare for an MRI
If any preparation is required, this information will be provided at the time of booking your appointment or on your appointment letter.
Taking a Child/Young Person for an MRI
If you’re taking a child for a scan then you can show them the video below, which will help explain to them what to expect. The video, produced by our team here at SaTH, targets children between the ages of four and ten who have either never had a scan before or are trying it for the first time without a general anaesthetic.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3wsaNfa1l8&ab_channel=sathNHS
Further information
For more information on MRI please visit the NHS website.
What is an Ultrasound?
An Ultrasound examination obtains a picture of the inside of the body using high frequency soundwaves. It does not use X-rays and is perfectly safe.
A small handheld probe is placed onto your skin and moved over the part of the body being examined. Water based gel is put onto your skin to allow the probe to move smoothly.
The Ultrasound is carried out by either a Sonographer or Radiologist; both are trained professionals in this type of scan.
How to prepare for an Ultrasound
If any preparation is required, this information will be provided at the time of booking your appointment or on your appointment letter. This may include a brief period of fasting, drinking some water or having an empty bladder. Any medication can still be taken with water prior to your scan.
Diabetic Patients
If you are diabetic and your exam requires fasting that may be difficult for you, please contact us and we will aim to give you an early morning appointment in this instance.
Chaperones
As well as the Sonographer, it is usual to have an Ultrasound assistant / chaperone present for your scan. Usually, they will escort you from the waiting area to the scan room and assist the Sonographer during the examination.
Sometimes it may be necessary to have a male Sonographer undertaking your procedure. If this is unacceptable to you, please contact us as we may need to rearrange your appointment.
Further information
For more information on Ultrasound please visit the NHS website.
What is a Mammogram?
A Mammogram is an x-ray of your breasts. X-rays use high energy rays to take pictures of the inside of your body.
You might have Mammograms as part of the Breast Screening programme or if you have symptoms that could be due to Breast cancer. This is called a Diagnostic Mammogram.
What is an Ultrasound?
An Ultrasound examination obtains a picture of the inside of the body using high frequency soundwaves. It does not use X-rays and is perfectly safe.
A small handheld probe is placed onto your skin and moved over the part of the body being examined. Water based gel is put onto your skin to allow the probe to move smoothly.
The Ultrasound is carried out by either a Sonographer or Radiologist; both are trained professionals in this type of scan.
You may have an Ultrasound scan of your breasts as part of your examination.
Further information
For more information on the Breast Screening Programme please visit the Breast Screening Shropshire website