Royal Stoke sending out new mobile van to do X-rays at home
It'll be staffed and fully equipped for a variety of x-rays
A new mobile X-ray service has been launched across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, aiming to provide faster diagnostics and reduce unnecessary trips to University Hospitals North Midlands (UHNM) Accident and Emergency Department.
The X-Ray at Home service will enable patients to receive diagnostic imaging in the comfort of their own home or care setting, alleviating demand on A&E and ambulance services.
Patients can be referred via a dedicated helpline for West Midlands Ambulance Service and community teams, and the service will be delivered by a senior radiographer and a support worker alongside the Community Rapid Intervention Service (CRIS) team. The CRIS team is an integrated service provided by UHNM and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for patients at risk of hospital admission.
New approach to radiography
Laura Greenwood, Superintendent Radiographer, voiced enthusiasm for the initiative, calling it a significant step for radiography in the region.
“This is such an exciting time for radiography and UHNM as it is something that we have never done before,” Greenwood said. “It’s fantastic that we have been given the opportunity to make a positive difference in the community.”
She added that hospital visits can be disruptive for many patients and highlighted the importance of making care more accessible. “I hope that X-Ray at Home is the future of radiography and hope to grow the fleet of mobile vans and therefore the amount of patients we are able to help.”
Improved community healthcare
Rob Gordon, Head of Imaging at UHNM, echoed the service’s potential benefits for patients and the wider healthcare system.
“I’m delighted to see this new community-based service come into place,”
Gordon said. “It’s something we’ve been working towards for a long time, ensuring that patients who don’t need to attend A&E can still access the care they require closer to home.”
He explained that alongside the CRIS team, the service is designed to improve patient experience, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and relieve pressure on ambulance services.
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.