A new multi-million pound imaging department has opened in Highgate Hospital’s new diagnostic suite.
The move means the private clinic will now be able to give patients access to state-of-the art equipment and specialist services, including Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), 3/4D ultrasound, digital fluoroscopy and digital X-ray services.
The diagnostic suite, measuring 2,500sq ft, is an extension to the existing hospital in View Road, Highgate, and is situated on the first floor above the hospital’s new theatre department.
Mark Lyons, director, said: “This new development means we can give our patients a quicker and more-flexible service delivered by highly-skilled radiographers and some of the country’s top consultant radiologists.
“For the last three years we have had MRI, ultrasound and X-ray services at Highgate, but as the hospital itself is changing we recognised the need to invest in the latest technology and to centralise all this new equipment in a more modern department.
“Patients will now be able to have their outpatient consultation and then walk through to the new imaging suite where, in many cases, they may be able to be scanned on the same day. Radiology reports will then be sent to the referring doctor within 48 hours.
“Our aim is to tailor our services to fit in with people’s lifestyles, for example offering same day/flexible appointment times, longer opening hours and operating an on-call service to support local sporting clubs.”
Debbie Lang, a radiographer specialised in MRI, has been brought in to head up the new department. Two new radiographers have also joined the imaging team.
Lang said: “It’s been fantastic to be part of this project from the start. Highgate is a unique hospital and, as well as supplying local GPs, physiotherapists and osteopaths with a reliable imaging service, the new diagnostic suite will now offer new services for patients and consultants alike and provide the backbone for the hospital. In addition, we are also able to offer new screening services to complement our existing ‘well woman’ and ‘well man’ packages.”
Part of the Aspen Healthcare Group, Highgate Hospital has been established for more than 25 years. It is currently undergoing a £13m redevelopment and expansion programme, which when completed in December and will provide 43 en-suite patient rooms, a high dependency unit, four fully-equipped operating theatres, an endoscopy suite, physiotherapy suite, 15 outpatient rooms, and a private GP Service.