The department provides an imaging service to GP patients, Outpatients, Minor Injuries (MIU) patients and rehabilitation for inpatients.
*NB: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the X-ray department is currently appointment basis only.
An X-ray (or radiography) is generally a quick and painless procedure used to produce images of the inside of the body.
X-rays are a type of radiation called electromagnetic waves. X-ray imaging creates pictures of the inside of the body by using an X-ray machine, a metal plate called an X-ray detector and a specialized computer. The computer interprets the image on the detector to produce the final image, commonly known as an X-ray. The images show the parts of the body in different shades of black and white, this is because different tissues absorb different amounts of radiation. Calcium in bones absorbs the highest amount of radiation, bones therefore appear white; fat and other soft tissues absorb less radiation and appear grey; air absorbs the least amount of radiation, therefore lungs appear black.
The most familiar use of X-rays is a chest X-ray to look for conditions such as pneumonia or lung cancer. Many other conditions in the chest can also be identified. Other examples of the use of X-rays include:
- Checking for fractures (broken bones)
- Heart problems, such as heart failure
- Abdominal problems, such as an obstructed bowel
- Arthritis in joints
- Calcifications, such as kidney stones
- Dysphagia (swallowing problems)
- Non-cancerous and cancerous bone tumour
- Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine)
- Tooth problems
- Breast abscesses or cancer
Patients that are too sick to be X-rayed in the department may be required to have an X-ray on the ward. This is usually limited to a chest X-ray and to ICU. However, under exceptional circumstances, other parts of the body can be requested with the possibility of other wards being considered too.
