New X-ray room at Horton General Hospital brings specialist imaging closer to patients
Whole-spine and leg-length examinations can now be done at the hospital
Patients in north Oxfordshire can now access more specialist scans closer to home as a new digital X-ray room has opened at the Horton General Hospital.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has invested in a Philips 7300 radiography system at the Banbury hospital, replacing older equipment.
The new technology is designed to provide better-quality images while lowering patients' exposure to radiation.
It also means whole-spine and leg-length X-rays can now be carried out at the Horton for the first time, reducing the need for some patients to travel elsewhere for specialist imaging.
The change is expected to particularly benefit children and young people, who may previously have had to travel to Oxford for whole-spine X-rays.
Around 50,000 patients undergo approximately 60,000 X-ray examinations at the Horton General Hospital each year.
The new system also features automated positioning technology, which is designed to make examinations easier and reduce the physical effort required by radiographers when moving and positioning equipment.
Tracy Condon, Radiology Site Lead at the Horton General Hospital, said: “This investment in imaging services at Horton General Hospital will help us continue to provide high-quality diagnostic care for our patients.
“The equipment will also make examinations more efficient and support our radiographers in their day-to-day work, helping us deliver the best possible experience for patients.”
Felicity Taylor-Drewe, Chief Operating Officer at OUH, said: “We are committed to ensuring patients across Oxfordshire can access high-quality services as close to home as possible.
“Modern diagnostic equipment is essential to delivering high-quality healthcare, and this investment will benefit patients and staff for years to come.”