Patients can now be X-rayed more quickly and safely thanks to a newly renovated digital X-ray room at Princess Royal Hospital, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
The £342,000 refurbishment includes a state of the art X-ray and a dental imaging machine.
Kate Custis, Lead Superintendent Radiographer, said: “This newly refurbished room sees about 60 patients each day for a range of examinations, with referrals from A&E, GP surgeries, outpatients and the wards. To replace the old equipment with new technology has been vital and will significantly improve the patient experience.
“The new equipment is much easier to use and can be easily moved around to suit the needs of each patient. The machine rapidly produces high resolution images with associated lower radiation doses, which is safer for patients and allows radiology staff to make accurate diagnoses.
“The efficiency of the new equipment also means reduced waiting times for X-ray as everyone is imaged more quickly.”
The cost of the refurbishment includes £260,000 raised by the hospital’s League of Friends charity.
Mercedes Madden, Chair of the Princess Royal Hospital League of Friends, said: “As we all know, the last two years have been challenging, but through the coffee shop turnover and donations, we have been able to continue providing for the comfort of the patients and staff.
“We are delighted to raise £260,000 to fund new equipment for the room and for the benefit of the people of Sussex.
“A lot of thought and effort from the department has gone into designing a very attractive space that is now more modern and spacious and allows patients to flow through the department more easily.”
The overall refurbishment of the X-ray room was funded and managed by UHSussex. Chris Hampsheir, Senior Capital Development Manager, said: “It is always a pleasure to oversee a project that has such a positive impact for patients and staff.
“This is part of a larger capital improvement programme at Princess Royal Hospital. We are already building a new Urology Investigation Unit and have plans to start work on a brand-new Endoscopy Unit during this financial year. Both these projects will make a real difference to patient experience.”