A to Z of services

Computed Tomography (CT) is a test that uses x-radiation and computer technology to produce three dimensional views of the inside of the body, the images are kept in a digital format and viewed on a computer screen.

• The CT scanner has a large ring shaped aperture and patients pass through the aperture on a moving table, often an injection of x-ray contrast media  is used to highlight the bloods vessels and kidneys. The contrast media is not radioactive and patients are able to carry on as normal after the scan. All patients are asked to complete a checklist on arrival in the department to check for any contraindications. Patients having an injection will need to stay in the department for 15 minutes after the scan.
• Generally scans take 5 – 10 minutes, specialised procedures such as biopsies and colonography take around 30 minutes, a full explanation of any scan will be given before the procedure is started.
• The need for a CT scan will be discussed with the patient at their preceding outpatient appointment or GP consultation, any special instructions will be sent with the appointment letter.
• The results are available from the patient’s GP via Sunquest ICE or Hospital Clinician.  Please note we are not able to give any results at the time of the scan.
• The service is available at Croydon University Hospital and Purley War Memorial Hospital and patients may be booked appointments at either site, the waiting time for routine appointments is 4-6 weeks. We are currently experiencing long waits for routine scans.

 

Requests and results

Results and reports are sent back to GPs via Sunquest ICE or to the referring clinicians in the hospital if requested by them.

Contact information

Croydon University Hospital

530 London Road

Croydon

CR7 7YE

020 8401 3049

 

Purley War Memorial Hospital

856 Brighton Road

Purley

CR8 2YL

020 8401 3240

Email: ch-tr.ctscanningdepartment@nhs.net