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annual follow-up CT scan following cancer therapy

Story from nhs.uk

"annual follow-up CT scan following cancer therapy"

About: Ealing Hospital

My main care is from Northwick Park hospital but they were replacing their CT scanners so I was referred to Ealing hospital for this scan in Feb 2019.

The self check-in didn't recognise me but I got good and friendly service when I then went to X-ray.

Of the three changing rooms, the left-hand one had nothing to sit on when changing meaning you had to do this standing-up which is difficult for many people. I used the right-hand cubicle which has a seat hence no problems. Why don't all the cubicles have seats?

The radiology staff were friendly efficient and reassuring.

The Siemens CT scanner looked impressive and had a multi-line patient display screen which identified me by my full name. However during the scans unlike other scanners it didn't show a visual indication to say 'Hold your breath' etc. This by audio only. Why was this not by both audio and visual indications as is the norm?

Whilst scanning the screen said '125 KV 30mA then 250mA', during the prescan and the main scan. As a techie I found this interesting but others may have been scared.

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Responses

Response from Patient Relations Manager, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust 5 years ago
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Submitted on 27/02/2019 at 11:53
Published on Care Opinion at 13:51

Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for letting us know about your recent visit to Ealing Hospital for your CT scan. I was pleased first of all to learn that the staff you came in to contact with were helpful and reassuring and have ensured that this has been shared with the staff in the department.

I acknowledge your observation regarding the lack of a seat in the left hand side cubicle of the changing area. I am advised that this has been purposely left this way in order to cater for less able patients, including those who may be attending in a wheelchair.

Thank you also for your feedback about the scan itself and the fact that it only provides you with audio cues. Siemens, the manufacturers, have advised that in order to scan those patients who are hard of hearing, the patient can be positioned feet first on the scanner. This would allow the patient to be able to see the countdown on the front of the scanner and know when to hold their breath. They have advised however that not having the visual breathing prompts has been raised by other hospital sites, and in other countries, and they have addressed this with their latest scanners.

I hope this information helps and thank you again for taking the time to let us know of your experience.

Kind regards

Peter Hare
Patient Relations Manager

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