New CT scanner will make a big difference to cancer care
Cancer patients at Southend Hospital are amongst the first in the country to benefit from a new state-of-the-art scanner.
The machine, just the third to be in use in the UK and the first in Essex, means that radiotherapy patients will get lower x-ray doses, whilst receiving better quality images. It’s first patient was Fatma Sahan, from Benfleet.
Tichatyeyi Mushinga, team lead for radiotherapy, said: "Our new CT scanner gives Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust the very latest in cutting-edge technology, providing excellent image quality at the lowest possible radiation dose to the patient, meaning it is safer for them.
"We are so excited to be able to offer this new machine to our patients. Having better images means patient treatment plans are much quicker to plan and it will be easier to see the difference between soft tissue. All of which will help us enhance our patient care."
Another advantage of the new scanner is that it will give much improved scans for patients who have either a prosthesis or hip replacement.
Helping put patients at ease whilst they have their scans are some calming sky ceiling lights, which show the tops of trees stretching into blue sky.
This new CT scanner replaces the old machine which had been used by the hospital for the last 13 years.