Hospital Management

New CT scanner suite launches at Weymouth Community Hospital

The initiative is aimed at delivering medical tests closer to patients' homes and reducing waiting times.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the UK has opened a new computerised tomography (CT) scanner suite at Weymouth Community Hospital, marking a significant step in enhancing local diagnostic services.

CT scans are used to diagnose ailments or assess how well treatment is working in patients.

This initiative is part of NHS England's Community Diagnostics Centre and the Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) programmes, aimed at delivering medical tests closer to patients' homes and reducing waiting times.

The CDC programme is establishing more facilities across the UK to carry out checks, scans along with tests.

The suite's launch aligns with the TLHC programme, which focuses on early detection and treatment of lung conditions in individuals aged 55 to 74 years. This proactive approach is expected to address health issues before they escalate into more severe problems.

It is a collaboration between Dorset County Hospital, Dorset HealthCare, and University Hospitals Dorset, demonstrating a unified effort to improve healthcare infrastructure.

The newly launched CT scanner suite is in response to the growing need for accessible and efficient diagnostic services.

By providing additional X-ray and ultrasound appointments during evenings and weekends, the hospital is optimising its resources to meet patient demand.

Dorset County Hospital chief operating officer Anita Thomas said: “We are delighted to have opened a CT scanner suite at Weymouth Community Hospital.

“This additional facility means we will be able to see more patients, reduce waiting lists and, most importantly, diagnose and treat more health conditions at an earlier stage which brings with it more treatment options and benefits for patients.”

In July 2020, Dorset County Hospital NHS Trust received £62.5m from the government funding to expand clinical services at its Dorchester site.

The initiative included the expansion of the Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the construction of an Integrated Care Hub to cater to an increasing number of patients.