A new mobile CT scanning unit has been installed outside Forth Valley Royal Hospital to increase capacity and reduce waiting times for patients requiring CT scans.

The unit, which will be in place for at least 6-months, is expected to carry out more than 7,000 CT scans over the next six months for patients from across NHS Forth Valley and NHS Lanarkshire.

Computerised tomography (CT) scans, which are sometimes referred to as CAT scans, use X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body.  They can be used to produce detailed images of all parts of the body including the brain, bones, blood vessels, lungs and other internal organs such as the heart, liver, womb, prostate gland and kidneys.

They can be used to diagnose a wide range of conditions including strokes, cancers and injuries to internal organs and guide further tests or treatments – for example, to help determine the location, size and shape of a tumour before having radiotherapy. CT scans are also used to monitor patients during and after cancer treatment.

Jennifer Gilchrist, Radiology Manager at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said: “We are delighted to have access to the mobile CT scanning unit for the next six months as this provides additional capacity and will help reduce waiting times for local patients.  Work is also underway to explore opportunities to increase our CT scanning local capacity in the longer term to help keep pace with rising future demand.”