Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine is used to help your doctor either make a diagnosis or monitor the progress of your treatment and this involves the use of radiation. We make sure that the benefits from making the right diagnosis or providing the correct treatment outweigh the low risk involved with the radiation itself.

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm

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• What does this involve?

  We give you a small amount of radioactivity. This will be injected either into a vein or under the surface of the skin depending on what type of Nuclear Medicine test you are having.

  Once you have had your injection, we may take images straight away or need to delay these images to allow your injection to get to the right organ. Some of our patients do not require any images. The Nuclear Medicine Staff will discuss this with you before your injection takes place.

  Your scan will be taken with a Gamma Camera (insert picture of gamma camera) The length of the scan will depend on what you are here for, the person operating the camera will fully explain the scan at the time. Our Gamma Camera also has a CT scanner attached, the staff may use this to take extra pictures to provide more detailed information to the doctor but this is not always necessary.

  Although we make every effort to meet our appointment times, delays may occur. We will let you know if this is the case.

• Will it hurt?

  The injection may hurt a little bit; this is much the same as having a blood test. You will not feel any side effects from the injection, it does not make you sleepy.

• Do I need to prepare for the test?

  Your appointment letter and information sheet will detail any preparation you need before your test. We advise you wear comfortable clothes with no metal fastenings.

  If you have a pace maker or any other implant (including dental and hearing aids), these are safe with this scanner.

• Do I need to do anything after the test?

  Afterwards you will still have some radiation in your body. This will disappear naturally.

• Radiation Risks- Putting it into Perspective

  We are all exposed to natural background radiation everyday of our lives. By having this Nuclear Medicine test, you will receive a small amount of radiation in addition to the natural background radiation you already receive. This test carries a low risk from radiation. If you would like more information about the radiation you will receive, please ask a member of staff when you attend your appointment or give us a call.

• Any More questions?

  The staff in the department want your visit to be as pleasant as possible. If you have any other questions, please ask the staff in Nuclear Medicine. You can telephone or ask us before your test starts. The telephone number is provided on this page under contact details.

• Patient information leaflets for Nuclear Medicine Tests
  • To view the patient information sheet on “Sentinel Node Imaging (Breast)” click here.
  • To view the patient information sheet on “Sentinel Node Imaging (Melanoma)” click here.
  • To view the patient information sheet on “Breastfeeding and your Nuclear Medicine Procedure” click here.