Diagnostic imaging
The Diagnostic Imaging department (also known as X-ray) is staffed by Consultant Radiologists, Specialist Radiology Registrars, Radiographers, Ultrasonographers, Assistant Imaging Practitioners, Student Radiographers, Medical Secretaries, Receptionists, Appointment Clerks, Radiology Assistants and Porters.
We see patients from GP surgeries, hospital outpatient clinics, Inpatient wards, the Emergency Department and from other hospitals.
The Imaging service is provided from Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital and four other community sites:
- Edgware Community Hospital
- Finchley Memorial Hospital
- Potters Bar Community Hospital
- Cheshunt Community Hospital
The Imaging service offers a full range of imaging examinations and treatments:
- Computer Tomography (CT)
- Fluoroscopy (screening)
- Emergency Department X-ray
- General X-ray
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
- Dexa Scanning
- Nuclear Medicine
- Mammography
Computerised Tomography (CT)
CT utilises X-rays to produce highly detailed cross sectional images of the body part which is being scanned.
CT is a highly advanced and extremely essential diagnostic tool used by all referring departments within the hospital.
The scan involves lying on a table which then passes through a hole where the scan takes place. You should not feel any claustrophobia during this scan as the area to be scanned is the only part in the middle of the scanning circle (i.e. the middle of the doughnut). If scanning the head, only the head and not the whole body is in the scanning circle and if scanning the abdomen or thorax (chest) the head is on one side of the circle and the legs out the other. The scan is not painful, although some scans involve an injection of a dye into the arm that is used to show up organs and blood vessels on the scan.
The x-ray machine will rotate around you during the scan. The x-ray beam passes through you and the intensity of the emerging beam is measured by electronic detectors. The detector readings are sent to a computer for processing. After processing, the image is displayed on a television monitor in the control area.
CT is used to image a variety of body parts and clinical reasons, and is fundamental in the diagnosis and staging of cancer.
Fluoroscopy (Screening)
Fluoroscopy using X-rays to produce live constant imaging on TV monitors within the X-ray room to view the area of the body being examined.
There are two types of Fluoroscopy:
-
General Fluoroscopy: This is mainly used for non-sterile procedures that image the Gastro-intestinal tract. A contrast agent, such as Barium Sulphate is used to help outline the digestive tract to look for any type of abnormality. It is also used for Hysterosalpinograms (HSG).
-
Interventional: This is a fast advancing area of Radiology that involves sterile procedures such as Angiography. These types of diagnostic tests can also be therapeutic, for example Embolisations and Angioplasty’s.
Emergency Department X-ray/General X-ray
General X-ray uses digital image capture by using either Digital Radiography (DR) or Computerised Radiography (CR). These digital images are archived onto the Picture Archive and Communication System, where the images can then be viewed anywhere in the hospital that has a computer with access to the intranet.
Like any digital image it can be manipulated to alter the contrast and brightness. The image can also be rotated and magnified. This technology helps with archiving a diagnosis and maximising the diagnostic capability of the images.
As Xx-rays use radiation we adhere to IR(ME)R (Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000). This means for female patients aged between 12-55 years, we need information about the date of your LMP (last menstrual period) and if you may be pregnant.
X-ray is the most commonly used form of medical imaging.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI uses a very powerful magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce highly detailed cross sectional images.
It is a non-invasive procedure and no ionising radiation is used.
MRI is a highly advanced and extremely essential diagnostic tool used by all referring departments.
The MRI unit is a large cylinder shaped tube surrounded by a circular magnet. You lie on a moveable couch which slides into the tube putting the area to be scanned in the centre.
Devices called coils, which send and receive radio waves, are placed on and around the area of the body to be scanned and, combined with others in the machine, produce signals which are detected by the coils. A computer processes the signals and generates a series of images each of which shows a thin slice of the area scanned
Important safety information - An MRI scan is considered to be a very safe procedure with no known side effects. However, because magnetic energy is used in the procedure, the scanner does attract metal objects, particularly those containing iron. For this reason you should contact the MRI unit before your appointment if you have any metallic implants or devices such as:
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Artificial heart valves
-
Artificial limbs
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Pins and plates in your joints
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Dental work
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Implanted electronic devices such as a pacemaker
You should also contact the MRI unit if you have ever had any metal fragments in your eyes.
If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, you should consult your doctor about whether to postpone the scan or have a different procedure.
Ultrasound U/S
U/S is primarily used as a first line diagnostic tool, as its non-invasive and does not use radiation to produce the images.
U/S uses sound waves to look at organs and vascular anatomy within the body.
U/S is a fast advancing field within Radiology, and is primarily used in Obstetrics for foetal imaging, Gynaecology, and imaging of the abdominal organs. It is also used in tissue biopsy for pathological analysis.
Bone Densitometry (Dexa) Scanning
A bone densitometry scan is a special type of X-ray test used to measure the calcium content of the bone, usually in the lumbar region (the lower back) and the hips. The examination is also called a DEXA-scan, QDR-scan or BMD (bone mineral density) measurement.
The Dexa scan is used to identify osteoporosis which cannot be picked up on a normal x-ray.
Dexa scans are requested by consultants within the hospital and by GP’s.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine is based at Barnet Hospital and supplies Nuclear Medicine services for the whole Trust and other London hospitals.
Nuclear Medicine uses Radioactive Isotopes that are attached to chemicals that are attracted or absorbed by particular parts of the body that are required to be imaged.
Prior to the scan, the patient is injected with the radioactive isotope. This may take some time to be absorbed by the correct body part so often there is a gap between the injection time and the scan time. During the scan the patient will either lie down or sit up. The gamma camera will then be positioned over the area of interest so an image can be formed on the computer monitors.
Nuclear Medicine is primarily used for Cardiology, Urology and for imaging of the skeleton in bone scans.
Mammography
Mammography within the Imaging department involves examination of Symptomatic patients.
These are patients with known symptoms, like cancer, cysts, microscopic calcification, etc. Patients with a family history of cancer are also imaged through this service.
All the patients that attend Mammography are referred directly from specialist clinics.
The Mammography x-ray equipment is also used to radiograph post surgical specimens.
Training and teaching
We are a teaching department committed to providing state of the art imaging which is constantly evolving to provide best quality practice. We currently train the following:
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Student Radiographers
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Radiology Registrars
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Ultrasonographers
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Mammographers
Radiology results
Once you have had your X-ray/scan the results will go to the referring Clinician/GP.
The results can take up to 10 days to reach your Clinician/GP. Once they have received the results they will contact you for a follow up appointment if it is required.
If you have any questions regarding your results contact your Clinician/GP.
Please do not contact the Radiology Department as we cannot give out results.
Requesting copies of your diagnostic test
If you would like copies of your x-rays please contact 020 8216 4529/5100 (for Barnet Hospital, Edgware Community Hospital, Finchley Memorial Hospital and Potters Bar Community Hospital patients., 020 8375 1126/2461 (for Chase Farm Hospital and Cheshunt Community Hospital patients. We will take your details and arrange for a CD to be produced of your test images. This can take up to 48 hours. There is a charge of £30 for this service, which has to be paid on collection of the CD images.
Edgware Community Hospital, Finchley Memorial Hospital and Potters Bar Community Hospital patients please note this service is at Barnet Hospital, so the CD will have to be collected from the Diagnostic Imaging department there. Cheshunt Community Hospital patients please note this service is at Chase Farm Hospital, so the CD will have to be collected from the Diagnostic Imaging department there.
Making or changing an appointment
If you are unable to keep the appointment that has been made for you, please ring the relevant appointments number or email the Imaging department at Barnet Hospital on bcf-tr.bh-radiology@nhs.net or Chase Farm Hospital on chase.radiology@nhs.net as soon as possible, so that your appointment can be offered to another patient, and you can be rebooked or cancelled.
Barnet Hospital Diagnostic Imaging service
Opening hours
|
Modality |
Appointment booking times |
|
CT |
Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm |
|
Fluoroscopy |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
|
GP/General X-ray |
Monday to Friday 9am-4pm (walk-in service, no appointment required) |
|
Interventional Radiology |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
|
MRI |
Monday to Friday 8am-5pm |
|
Ultrasound |
Monday to Friday 8am-6pm |
|
Nuclear Medicine |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
|
Dexa Scanning |
Monday 9am-1pm, Tuesday 9am-5pm and Thursday 2pm-5pm. |
|
Mammography |
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-5pm |
Please note we do not make appointments or provide a GP/General x-ray service on Bank Holidays.
Contact details
Diagnostic Imaging
Level 1
Barnet Hospital
Wellhouse Lane
Barnet
EN5 3DJ
|
CT appointments |
020 8216 5111 |
|
General and Interventional Fluoroscopy appointments |
020 8216 5120 |
|
General X-ray queries |
020 8216 5100 |
|
MRI appointments |
020 8216 5087 |
|
Ultrasound appointments |
|
|
Dexa appointments |
020 8216 4840 |
|
Nuclear Medicine appointments |
020 8216 5115 |
|
Mammography appointments |
020 8216 5102 |
|
General enquiries |
020 8216 5100 |
|
Sarah Munford, General Manager |
020 8375 2116 |
|
Sylvia Day, Office Manager |
020 8216 4146 |
Chase Farm Hospital Diagnostic Imaging service
Opening hours
|
Modality |
Appointment booking times |
|
CT |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
|
Fluoroscopy |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
|
GP/General X-ray |
Monday to Friday 9am-4pm (walk-in service, no appointment required) |
|
Interventional Radiology |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
|
MRI |
Monday to Friday 8am-5pm |
|
Ultrasound |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
|
Mammography |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
Please note we do not make appointments or provide a GP/General x-ray service on Bank Holidays.
Contact details
X-ray department
Chase Farm Hospital
The Ridgeway
Enfield
EN2 8JL
|
CT appointments |
020 8375 1126 |
|
General and Interventional Fluoroscopy appointments |
020 8375 1985 |
|
General X-ray queries |
020 8375 1604 |
|
MRI appointments |
020 8375 2574 |
|
Ultrasound appointments |
020 8375 1129 |
|
Mammography appointments |
020 8375 1129 |
|
General enquiries |
020 8375 2461/1126 |
|
Sarah Munford, General Manager |
020 8375 2116 |
|
Jennie Kirby, Office Manager |
020 8375 1127 |
Edgware Community Hospital Diagnostic Imaging service
Opening hours
|
Modality |
Appointment booking times |
|
GP/General X-ray |
Monday to Friday 9am-4pm (walk-in service) |
|
Ultrasound |
Monday to Friday 8am-6pm |
Please note we do not make appointments or provide a GP/General x-ray service on Bank Holidays.
Contact details
X-ray department
Edgware Community Hospital
Burnt Oak Broadway
Edgware
HA8 0AD
|
General X-ray appointments/queries |
020 8732 6552 |
|
Ultrasound appointments/queries |
020 8732 6562 |
|
Sarah Munford, General Manager |
020 8375 2116 |
|
Sylvia Day, Office Manager |
020 8216 4146 |
Finchley Memorial Hospital Diagnostic Imaging service
Opening hours
|
Modality |
Appointment booking times |
|
GP/General X-ray |
Monday to Friday 9am-4pm (walk-in service) |
|
Ultrasound |
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm |
Please note we do not make appointments or provide a GP/General x-ray service on Bank Holidays.
Contact details
X-ray department
Finchley Memorial Hospital
Granville Road
N12 0JE
|
General X-ray queries |
0208 349 7437 |
|
Ultrasound appointments |
0208 349 7437 |
|
Sarah Munford, General Manager |
020 8375 2116 |
|
Sylvia Day, Office Manager |
020 8216 4146 |
Potters Bar Community Hospital Diagnostic Imaging service
Opening hours
|
Modality |
Appointment booking times |
|
GP/General X-ray |
Monday to Friday 9am-12pm (walk-in service) |
|
Ultrasound |
Wednesday 9am-1pm |
Please note we do not make appointments or provide a GP/General x-ray service on Bank Holidays.
Contact details
X-ray department
Potters Bar Community Hospital
Barnet Road
Potters Bar
EN6 2RY
|
General X-ray queries |
020 8216 5100 |
|
Ultrasound appointments |
020 8216 4339/5101 |
|
Sarah Munford, General Manager |
020 8375 2116 |
|
Sylvia Day, Office Manager |
020 8216 4146 |
Cheshunt Community Hospital Diagnostic Imaging services
Opening hours
|
Modality |
Appointment booking times |
|
GP/General X-ray |
Monday to Friday 9am-12pm (walk-in service) |
Please note we do not make appointments or provide a GP/General x-ray service on Bank Holidays.
Contact details
X-ray department
Cheshunt Community Hospital
King Arthur Court
Cheshunt
Hertfordshire
EN8 8XN
|
General X-ray queries |
01992 622157 (option 2) |
|
Sarah Munford, General Manager |
020 8375 2116 |
|
Jennie Kirby, Office Manager |
020 8375 1127 |
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