Radiology

Service summary:

A full range of examinations is provided with some of the more specialised tests available after consultation with a radiologist.

Facilities:

Radiology facilities are available in the following locations:

The Breast Screening Service based in Champion House, Linenhall Street, Belfast is also managed and staffed by the Radiology Directorate.

Specialty Consultant details: (all consultants undertake general radiological procedures)

Consultant Name:	Specialties:
Dr Stephen Vallely MD, FRCR, FFRRCSI	Nuclear medicine including cardiac scanning, CT scanning, ultra sound, PET scanning, uro-radiology
Dr Lyn Johnston MB,DMRD,FRCR,FFRRCSI	Interventional radiology, vascular radiology, ultrasound
Dr John Foster MB, FRCR	Oncological radiology, CT scanning, MRI scanning, PET scanning
Dr John Lawson MB, MRCP, DMRD, FRCR	CT scanning, ultrasound, chest radiology
Dr Paddy Lowry MB, FRCR, FFRRCSI	CT scanning, ultrasound scanning
Dr Willie Loan MB, FRCS, FRCR	Interventional radiology, vascular radiology, CT scanning
Dr Chris Boyd BSc, FRCSI, FRCR	Interventional radiology, vascular radiology, CT scanning
Dr Aine Shiels MB, MRCP(UK), FRCR	CT scanning, MRI scanning, PET scanning
Dr John Ramsey MA, FRCR, FFRRCSI	Cross sectional imaging (CT and MRI)
Dr Eimear Murtagh MB, MRCP, FRCR	CT scanning, MRI scanning, oncological radiology
Dr Willie Page MB, DMRD, FRCR	Oncological radiology, PET scanning
Dr Arthur Grey MB, BCh, FRCR	Oncological radiology, musculoskeletal radiology
Dr Miriam Buckley MB, FRCR	CT scanning, MRI scanning, breast imaging
Dr Graham Crothers MB, DRCOG, DMRD, FFRRCSI FRCR	Breast imaging
Dr Jordana McAllister FRCR	Breast imaging
Dr Stephen Elliott MB, FRCR	Breast imaging, ultrasound, CT scanning
Dr Tom Lynch MB FRCR	Nuclear medicine, PET scanning, CT scanning

The CT service comprises three modern CT scanners, two of which have multi-slice capability. They are staffed by a team of specially trained radiographers all of whom either hold, or are in the process of obtaining, a post-graduate level qualification in this highly specialised modality. An additional scanner will become available when the Cancer Centre building opens in 2006.

A leading edge MRI scanner was installed in 2003, complemented by access to a privately operated scanner at Belvoir Park Hospital. Again staffing is provided by a team of radiographers who are being trained to post-graduate level. An additional MRI scanner will become available when the Cancer Centre building opens in 2006.

The ultrasound department has three scanners, together with one located in Belvoir Park Hospital and two in the Breast Unit. A full range of examinations is undertaken including Doppler studies. This will be augmented by an additional scanner when the Cancer Centre building opens in 2006.

Two gamma cameras, one a dual head camera, are available in Radioisotope Imaging together with sophisticated computerised analysis systems. This service will be operating in partnership with the Northern Ireland Medical Physics Agency to provide a total of four gamma cameras with the opening of the Cancer Centre in 2006. Belfast City Hospital also forms part of the Regional PET Centre based on the Royal Group of Hospitals site. Radiologists from our department report on PET/CT scans at this facility.

The interventional service has developed greatly over the last few years and has moved from performing mostly diagnostic examinations to providing a major therapeutic service across a variety of medical specialties. Areas of special note are aortic aneurysm management for which we provide a regional service and are recognised as a UK training centre running regular workshops for some stenting procedures. We provide a regional dialysis and fistula management service for renal patients together with PICC line placement for oncology and haematology patients. We are the only centre in Northern Ireland offering a vertebroplasty service. Recognising that the future of the radiology service lies in using digital technology to allow capture, storage and distribution of images electronically rather than by using conventional X-ray film, we have recently converted our plain film imaging service from analogue to digital using a leading edge computed radiography system which is the first of its kind to be installed in the UK.

We are confident that we will have achieved our aim of eliminating the use of film within the Radiology service by 2007. This will bring benefits in terms of more rapid reporting of examinations and the ability to hold teleconferencing to review difficult cases. There are also environmental benefits in terms of energy saving and the reduction of large amounts of waste associated with the use of film.