Radiology

These services are located on the ground floor of the hospital, near the lifts.

This service is located on the ground floor of the hospital, near the rear entrance.

These services are located on the first floor of the hospital.

The West Suffolk Hospital site operates a walk-in service for x-rays. Patients who have been referred by their doctor can use the walk-in service which is available Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm (excluding bank holidays).

Patients attending outside of these times will not be imaged.

Please note: afternoons are significantly quieter and waiting times in the mornings can be up to an hour and half.

You may be sent an appointment, for examinations other than x-rays, anytime between 8.00am - 8.00pm on all days including weekends and bank holidays. This to keep our waiting list as short as possible.

If you have any queries, please call 01284 713378 or 01284 713328.

CT

• CT - Virtual Colonoscopy (CitraFleet and Omnipaque) (C75)
• CT - Virtual Colonoscopy Aftercare Leaflet (C43)
• CT Head Scan - Easy read

MRI

• MRI - babies feed and wrap
• MRI - Bladder (M23)
• MRI - Breast (M13)
• MRI - Gynae Pelvis
• MRI - MRCP (magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography)
• MRI - Small Bowel (M18)
• MRI explained by Mr Mole (information for children)

Nuclear Medicine

• Information about your kidney scan - Hi, I'm Nuclear Med Ted

Ultrasound

• Information about your SDEC ultrasound scan
• Ultrasound - Gynae US Abdomen (NBM FB) (G02)

• Angioplasty
• Breast Vacuum assisted biopsy (BR02)
• Interventional Radiology - Angiogram or Angioplasty Discharge Advice (NUR29)
• Percutaneous biopsy
• Percutaneous nephrostomy
• Proctogram examination information
• Radiology - a fact sheet for children aged 11+
• Radiology - a fact sheet for children aged 6 to 10 years old

View the radiology referral guidelines on the iRefer website

Once a medical professional forwards their request our appointment team will book you the next available examination slot with the appropriate doctor. Please phone 01284 713378 if you have any queries about this.

Because of the potential risks to an unborn child we need to know, for certain examinations, if there is any possibility of a patient or accompanying parent being pregnant. All patients between the ages of 12 years and 54 years of age will be asked if there is the possibility of pregnancy. Discussion will be carried out in private and in confidence.

It is not advisable to bring children when attending an imaging appointment as there are no child facilities available. Any children must be able to remain unattended as staff are not legally able to look after them.

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, it is the combination of a powerful magnet and a sophisticated computer that allows the radiographer to take images of any body part without the use of x-rays.

With your appointment letter you will have a safety questionnaire. It is very important that you fill this in before your appointment. If you have a PACEMAKER, COCHLEA IMPLANT, certain HEART VALVES, ANEURYSM clips and SHUNTS you will not be scanned.

The MRI scanner is a powerful magnet and such metallic implants are not safe. Please call the department on 01284 712891 if you have any of these. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding please call the department on 01284 712890 before your appointment.

Scans vary in time; some are as quick as 15 minutes and the more complicated scans may last up to 45 minutes. If you are particularly worried/nervous about your scan it may be possible for someone to accompany you. They will also be in the magnetic field therefore it is important that they also remove all metal and complete the safety questionnaire. Please phone prior to your appointment if you require further advice.

If you would like to further information on how to obtain a CD-ROM containing copies of your diagnostic images please call Anita Bruce in the medical legal department on 01284 713456 with the exception of private patients.

Please note, there may be an administration fee, this will be confirmed when you contact us. If someone other than yourself is collecting the disc they will require written permission and a form of photo ID. We will not release patient records for your child if they are over the age of 16 without their prior consent.

The disc will contain image and text data about you and your condition. Normally we would undertake to keep this data safe and secure under the Data Protection Act. We transfer this data into your keeping on the understanding that we cannot be held responsible for the safekeeping of that data from this point forward. The disc will not be encrypted. You will be given a receipt that deems collection and payment have taken place.