Scans

You need a referral from your doctor, physio or midwife to be able to book an appointment for the scan.

Some ultrasound examinations need preparation before your scan. You will be sent information about this once you have booked your scan.

For kidney scans, your bladder needs to be full in order to optimally view your pelvic organs. The best way to achieve a full bladder is to first empty your bladder one and a half hours prior to your appointment. Then drink one litre of water (4–5 glasses) over the next half hour. Ingestion of water should be completed one hour prior to the examination. Please do not go to the toilet.

For scans of your abdomen, such as the gallbladder, it is important you do not eat or drink anything for six hours beforehand.

On arrival, present to reception. You may be given a consent form to complete. The examination usually takes 30-60 minutes depending on the area to be scanned. You may be asked to change into a gown.

Water-based gel is applied on your skin over the area to be examined. The sonographer uses a transducer over the gel to scan and acquire images as required.  

You will be able to resume your normal activities after the ultrasound scan.  Results of your scan will be sent to your doctor as soon as possible. You can also request a copy of your results once they are available.

While Ultrasound has been used for 30-years and has an excellent record, scans should only be carried out by a fully trained Sonographer who knows how to perform the scan safely. 

You need a referral from your doctor to be able to book an appointment for this scan.

When you make an appointment for your scan you will be advised as to whether you require any specific preparation and we will go through the process with you then.

As a general guide you will be advised to not eat anything two hours prior to your appointment if you are required to have Contrast. Contrast is a colourless fluid that is injected at the time of your scan to improve the definition of the images.

For abdominal examinations you may also be required to drink water before your scan.

All patients will be asked to present 10 minutes prior to their appointment time as you may need to complete a questionnaire.

Depending on the type of scan you are having, your appointment may take 60 minutes to complete.

Your radiographer will guide you through the whole process and gain consent from you.  For some examinations you may be asked to change into a gown and to remove metallic objects such as jewelery and hearing aids.

The CT radiographer who is trained in the use of X-ray equipment and CT scanning, will position you on the bed and take care of you throughout the scan. The Radiographer will need to leave the scan room briefly whilst it is in progress but will remain in contact with you via an intercom and a viewing window.

It is important that you keep still while the scan takes place.  If you have difficulty lying flat, have poorly controlled pain or suffer from claustrophobia, please discuss this with us prior to your scan.

If you need to have Contrast for your scan this is given through a small needle that is placed in your vein.  Injection of Contrast may give you a brief sensation of warmth throughout the body and maybe a metallic taste in your mouth. These sensations are expected and normal and are of no cause for concern.

After the examination, you are able to resume your normal activities.

Results of your scan will be sent to your doctor as soon as possible. You can also request a copy of your results.

The health risk from exposure to X-rays is generally outweighed by the vast health benefit achieved by getting a clear diagnosis.

You will be advised when making your appointment the approximate duration of your scan and specific preparation. Most scans take between 30 – 45 minutes.

On arrival, you will be given an MRI Patient Questionnaire to complete which will be checked by the MRI technologist. You will be asked to remove all jewellery and metal objects and change into one of our gowns. All valuables will be safely locked away.

The MRI scanner is large and open and makes a continuous loud knocking sound while scanning. You will be provided with earplugs and music headphones to reduce any discomfort from the noise and a buzzer to contact the MRI technologist at any time throughout the procedure.

During the scan it is vital that you keep still. If you have difficulty lying flat, have poorly controlled pain or suffer from claustrophobia, please discuss this with us prior to your scan.

​In some cases, the administration of a contrast agent is required through a vein in your arm. If this is required, you will be fully informed and asked for consent prior to your scan.

After the scan, you can resume normal activities. 

Results of your scan will be sent to your referring Specialist usually within 48 hours, unless alternative arrangements have been made. 

Due to the strong magnetic field of the scanner, some patients may not be able to have an MRI scan. Please contact us immediately if you have a cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implants, metal fragments in the eye or surgical clips on blood vessels in the brain.