£1.2 million investment in new CT scanner for Spire Little Aston Hospital, brings faster diagnoses for cancer patients

Pictured from left to right: Caroline Green, CT and MRI Team Leader, Lindsi Thirlwall, Siemens Healthineer, the first patient to be scanned by the CT, Carol Woods and Gillian Sutton, Department Manager

The scanner represents a £1.2 million investment by Spire Healthcare and will enable up to 20 patients a day to be scanned to detect cancer, cardiac disease and urgent neurological, gynaecological and orthopaedic conditions. The scanner will help provide diagnoses for both NHS and private patients, which will alleviate pressure on waiting lists and reduce waiting times for a scan.

The new equipment uses the latest technology, which means that it will take less time to complete scans, meaning more patients can be seen for a diagnosis than in the past. The new equipment is much wider inside than other scanners, and so is more comfortable for patients.

The scanning service currently operates Monday to Friday and also has 24 hour emergency cover.

The scanner is located in the hospital’s MRI and CT department, and had to be levered into place using a specialist equipment this month. Strict infection control processes were put in place to keep patients and staff COVID-secure during the installation process and the teams went to considerable effort to reduce noise and disruption so that the hospital could continue to function normally.  A temporary CT has been on site through the eight-week installation period to allow critical services, including Spire Little Aston Hospital’s leading orthopaedic service, to continue.

Edward Ireland, Hospital Director at Spire Little Aston Hospital, said: “Here at Little Aston Hospital, we are absolutely committed to making sure our patients can have fast access to diagnosis and treatment. Investing in state-of-the-art facilities, like our new scanner, enables us to do this.

“We are proud to be playing an important role in keeping a wide range of services going, including cancer services. With our new scanner, we can continue to support the local community and help address rising waiting lists in the area.”

Carol Woods, the first patient to be scanned using the new equipment, said: “I had a great experience at Spire Little Aston Hospital, and I’d like to thank all the staff for their care and support. I feel privileged to have been the first patient scanned using the brand new state-of-the-art CT machine.”