The Directorate of Radiology provides a Trust wide diagnostic imaging service. The acute work of the Trust is concentrated at UHND and Darlington Memorial Hospitals who offer a full comprehensive range of diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures as well as substantial plain film reporting and ultrasound service. The department at BAH offers a wide range of mainly outpatient based CT plain film and ultrasound procedures. It also provides plain film imaging for the PCT urgent care/minor injury unit. The CT scanner at BAH offers the majority of outpatient appointments for Trust wide referrals. This allows the scanners on the acute sites to focus more on the in patient workload. Upgrade of all 3 main CT scanners across the trust is now complete providing three 64 slice Toshiba Aquilion units. The departments at DMH and UHND operate 9am - 5pm Monday -Friday. Beyond these hours an on call service is provided. BAH operates 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday. A evening and weekend plain film service (5pm - 9.30pm Mon-Fri; 9am-930pm Sat/sun) provides a plain film imaging service for in patients and the minor injury unit. A broad range of plain film and ultrasound services are provided at Stanley Health Centre Shotley Bridge Hospital Chester-le-Street and Sedgefield Community hospitals. These support local out-patient clinics and general practitioners and provide diagnostic imaging in a community setting.

This year has seen a major investment into CT technology across the Trust. Since April new 64 slice CT scanners have been installed at Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland Hospitals. The 2 year old CT scanner at the University Hospital of North Durham has also been upgraded to 64 slice capabilities. The new technology not only offers better image quality but has also improved patient experience for example the reduction in the time it takes to complete an examination . Our satelite xray and ultrasound departments at Sedgefield Shotley bridge and Chester le Street hospitals offer patients the opportunity to attend for their xray and ultrasound appointments at a location closer to home. An additional plain film and ultrasound service has recently opened at Stanley Health Centre.

Key Staff Details

• Clinical Service Manager:   Paul Stevenson
  Telephone:  0191 333 2492

Service Delivery

• Bishop Auckland Hospital
• Chester-le-Street Community Hospital
• Darlington Memorial Hospital
• Sedgefield Community Hospital
• Shotley Bridge Community Hospital
• University Hospital of North Durham