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Contact: Box 219; Tel: 01223 216 320 (Main radiology
reception area)
The Radiology Directorate provides a diagnostic, interventional
and therapeutic service for its local population, and a tertiary
service for the region. It also provides support to some national
work such as Gaucher's disease.
It operates under the Royal College of Radiology guidelines. Radiology
images over 200 000 patients each year.
The reception area of the Radiology Department
(1) General Radiology Department
The General Radiology Department is responsible
for the majority of plain films taken throughout the Hospital.
It is located in the outpatient area of Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Plain films include chest X-rays, X-rays for trauma (suspected
broken bones), for accident and emergency work and for patients
referred direct to the Department by their general practitioners
(GPs). This department also images patients referred by outpatient
clinics.
Waiting times in General Radiology
In the General Radiology Department, patients from
clinics are seen on a 'demand basis', so there might be a waiting
time depending on how busy the Department is at the time. Patients
referred in by GPs are imaged at appointment times. Different
rooms are specialised for different examinations. This Department
has a large waiting room and friendly reception area, so the wait
for X-rays should be in comfortable surroundings (see the photo
above).
(2) Room 11: X-rays for inpatients
Room 11, located within the General X-ray Department,
is responsible for taking X-rays of inpatients. Demand is always
large for inpatient X-rays; patients are imaged according to clinical
urgency.
(3) Fluoroscopy Suite
The Fluoroscopy Suite uses dynamic imaging to look at internal
organs in the body using contrast media such as barium. This demonstrates
the alimentary system and the gastrointestinal system. It also
helps other practitioners with their patients, for example speech
therapists working with patients who are having difficulties swallowing.
(4) Angiography Department
Using special liquids called ‘contrast media’, it
is possible to visualise arteries and veins within the body. This
work uses very specialised techniques and equipment. Interventional
work is also carried out, such as the insertion of metal stents
in areas of artery stenosis, or the insertion of coils into cerebral
arteries. Much of the work in this Department is done as an emergency
procedure, and there is a significant amount of work performed
on a 24-hour basis.
(5) Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a form of diagnostic imaging that
does not use ionising radiation. Instead, sound waves are used,
which reflect from body tissues giving an image on a screen. There
are two main areas where ultrasound is performed:
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General Ultrasound Department
This is situated on Level 3 in the main X-ray Department.
Examinations are used to detect problems in the abdomen, pelvis
and some soft-tissue areas.
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Obstetric Ultrasound Department
Mainly for pregnant women, this Department is based in the
Rosie Hospital. Obstetric scans are performed (a) to work
out the age of a fetus and (b) to ensure the healthy development
of the fetus in the womb. (More
information about ultrasound examinations in pregnancy from
the Maternity Services Guide.)
(6) Computed Tomography (CT) Department
There are two CT scanners on Level 2 in the Main Radiology
Department, which are used for examinations of any part of the
body. Patients are referred for these procedures only by a hospital
consultant.
Short for computed tomography, CT is a specialised
type of diagnostic imaging. Using X-rays, the CT scanner is able
to create cross-sectional imaging - simulating 'slices' through
the body. Three-dimensional imaging is also possible, for example
in orthopaedic and facial reconstruction. Biopsies can also be
performed in this Department, which avoids the need for a patient
to have an 'open' biopsy in an operating theatre.
(7) Nuclear Medicine
(8) Cambridge Breast Unit
The Cambridge Breast Unit is is situated on Robinson
Way. Triple screening of women is undertaken in the Unit as part
of the symptomatic breast programme. The Unit provides the Cambridge
& Huntingdon mammography screening service in the Hospital
and via the visiting van (see Cambridge
Breast Unit).
(9) Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI Department
The MRI Department is located next to the Medical
Admissions Unit. MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create an
image of the body. It is used extensively for neurological patients.
Because of the magnetic field generated, it is not a suitable
imaging technique for patients who have pacemakers or other pieces
of 'metal' in their bodies. However, because it does not use ionising
radiation and can create detailed images of soft tissue, it can
be used for the detection of many diseases. As a result, there
is currently a long waiting list for non-urgent procedures (August
2000).
(10) Other services provided by Radiology
Radiology provides other services to departments
at Addenbrooke's including to the Dental Department, the wards
and the operating theatres.
Staffing
There are 22 consultants in the combined NHS and
University Directorate, and highly skilled radiographic, nursing
and other support staff. (The University
Department of Radiology website on the Clinical School site).
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Radiologist: a doctor who has spent five further years training
in this specialty;
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Radiographer: a degree-trained professional allied to medicine,
who is responsible for the imaging.
For prospective staff
The Radiology Directorate provides a friendly working environment,
and maintains a continual interest in quality, audit, research
and patient-centred care (see Working
at Addenbrooke's for current vacancies).
Key contacts
Also on this website
On other websites
For further information contact: Radiology Directorate, Box 219,
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223
216 320 (main radiology reception area, and for GPs to request appointments
for their patients).
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