Patients are benefiting from a £3.1 million investment in life-saving radiology services at Medway Maritime Hospital.
An Interventional Radiology (IR) machine has been replaced with a new state-of-the-art version of the critical piece of equipment which provides improved image quality for clinicians and lower radiation doses for patients.
Improvements to the Interventional Radiology suite’s recovery area has also resulted in increased capacity meaning more outpatient procedures, including biopsies, can be performed in one session. In turn this will help reduce waiting times for patients on cancer pathways.
Interventional Radiology is a highly specialised, minimally invasive service that uses image-guided techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including cancer, internal bleeding, kidney disease and blood clots. The service, which operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, supports the hospital’s emergency department and specialties such as oncology, urology, vascular surgery, trauma. It also directly supports the Obstetric Team in performing procedures to stop excessive bleeding after childbirth, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Natalie Harris-Sims, General Imaging and Interventional Radiology Lead, said: “Every year the interventional radiology department carries out around 1,500 procedures, many of which are time critical and can be lifesaving.
“In addition to better image quality for clinicians, and lower radiation doses, shorter procedure times and more biopsies being carried out for patients, the new IR machine also provides us with the opportunity to develop and expand the range of treatment options in the future.
“Other long-term financial benefits include reducing the need to outsource procedures.”
