Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals opens new ‘nuclear’ gamma camera

The first patients have been scanned by a new £3.6m gamma camera at The Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust (SaTH).

The camera, which SaTH said is the single largest investment in “nuclear medicine” made in the region to date, will be used to detect cancer, paediatric conditions and other acute conditions for patients at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The gamma camera uses single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technology, which produces higher quality images compared to conventional imaging tech. It is hoped the device will increase capacity for cancer scanning and reduce waiting times for patients.

Laurence Ginder, associate medical director at SaTH, said: “It’s fantastic that the unit is now open and the first patients have been scanned using the new gamma camera.

“This long-awaited investment secures a Nuclear Medicine Imaging service for the future. It has the potential for us to expand our imaging capabilities, improving the diagnosis and treatment pathway for our patients.”

SaTH said the investment in the new camera will complement the facilities offered at the Community Diagnostic Centre based at Hollinswood House in Telford, which also offers cardiorespiratory services, radiology, pathology and teledermatology services.

It is also hoped that the equipment will attract staff with specialist skills and help the hospital retain its workforce.

Simon Burgess was one of the first patients to receive a scan. He said: “It is good to have this new facility here – it is nice to be in a new, bright, clean and fresh environment.”

In April 2024, SaTH deployed a new patient administration system (PAS) supplied by System C as part of a multi-million-pound digitisation initiative at the trust.

The deployment marked the first stage of a transformation project that will eventually see SaTH roll out System C’s CareFlow electronic patient record.