An x-ray is a commonly-used, pain-free scan that takes images of your bones. X-rays allow radiologists to easily diagnose injuries, bone conditions and other abnormalities.

All x-rays use a small dose of radiation to achieve the best results.

What to expect

You may need to change into a gown depending on the body part being x-rayed.

A radiographer will then take you into a room where you'll sit, lie or stand for your scan. During the x-ray you'll need to keep as still as possible. The radiographer will take the images and review them at the end of your scan.

Length of scan: 5-15 minutes. 

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan uses magnets and radio waves to take detailed images inside your body. Unlike an x-ray or CT scan, an MRI does not use ionising radiation.

This type of scan can help detect changes in organs, blood vessels and bones and also identify injuries to muscles and ligaments.

Sometimes we need to use an intravenous (IV) contrast agent to help highlight areas of the body for the scan. In this case, a small cannula will be inserted into a vein in your arm.

What to expect

Before your scan, you'll be asked to remove your clothing and change into a hospital gown.

You'll lie on a bed that slides into the MRI machine. An MRI machine looks like a big tube with a hole at either end. 

During the scan, your radiographer will be able to hear you and talk to you at all times. 

An MRI can be noisy. However, we provide piped music to make sure you're as comfortable as possible. If you're worried about your scan or are claustrophobic (have a fear of closed spaces), please talk to your GP. They may be able to prescribe you something to help ease any feelings of anxiety.

Length of scan: about 30 minutes. 

A CT (Computed Tomography) scan, also known as a CAT scan, uses x-rays to take detailed images inside the body.

CT scans can show certain parts of the body with great clarity. This includes the lungs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels. During a CT scan, images are taken in less than 1 second. This means your scan can be very quick and provide great image clarity.

CT scans allow radiologists to easily diagnose conditions such as some cancers, cardiovascular disease, trauma or musculoskeletal disorders. A consultant may also suggest a CT scan to help plan radiotherapy treatment. 

What to expect

On the day of your scan you may be asked to change into a gown.

A CT scanner looks like a short tube with a hole at either end. For your scan, you'll lie on a bed that slides in and out of the CT scanner. The scanner will then revolve around you. Our modern CT scanners are quite quiet and make a short clicking noise. 

Sometimes we need to use an intravenous (IV) contrast agent to help highlight areas of the body for the scan. In this case, a small cannula will be inserted into a vein in your arm. If the image is for your stomach, small bowel or colon, they may ask you to drink a liquid contrast dye.

If your scan includes a contrast dye, you might feel a warm sensation during the injection. You might also experience a metallic taste that should last only a minute or so.

Length of scan: about 30 minutes.

An ultrasound, sometimes called a sonogram, takes images inside your body using sound waves. These high-frequency waves go through the skin and are then reflected by your organs to form a picture on a screen. Ultrasound is very useful in helping us diagnose many different conditions. As ultrasound does not use x-rays, it's very safe.

Ultrasounds can show the structure and movement of your organs, as well as how blood flows through your vessels. 

What to expect

You may be asked to change into a gown before your scan. During your ultrasound, you'll lie, usually face up, on the ultrasound bed. 

During your ultrasound, a sonographer will apply gel to the area being looked at. This helps the sound waves travel through the skin. Your sonographer will then move a handheld transducer over the surface of your skin. You may feel some pressure as the transducer is pressed against the area being examined.

If you're having a pelvic scan, your consultant may recommend an internal ultrasound. This would enable them to take close-up, high-quality images from inside your body. We will always ask you for your consent before proceeding with this.

Length of scan: About 30 minutes. 

PET CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) is a combination of a PET scan and a CT scan.

During a PET CT scan, we inject a special type of radioactive sugar into a vein. This radioactive sugar helps us determine the manner of the lesion being imaged.

This process is often used to help accurately diagnose disease, infection and inflammation in the body. It can also help pinpoint the best approach to treatment as well as monitor your treatment progress.

We offer the following PET CT scans:

• whole-body scan for oncology, infection and inflammation
• brain scan for Alzheimer's Disease, epilepsy and brain tumours
• cardiac scan

What to expect

Ahead of your PET CT scan, we'll measure your weight, height and blood glucose levels. 

Your radiographer will then insert a small cannula into a vein in your arm so they can inject the radioactive sugar.  

You'll then need to rest for 1 hour in our comfortable PET CT uptake room. You cannot read or listen to music during this time. 

Once you've rested for an hour, we'll take you for your scan. This part of your appointment will take 30-60 minutes.

Length of appointment: about 3 hours

A fluoroscopy uses x-rays and a contrast dye to examine a specific part of your body. The contrast dye shows up white on your x-ray and helps to show any abnormalities. 

We use fluoroscopy to check for numerous conditions including:

• ulcers
• benign tumours
• cancers
• diverticulitis (inflammation of the intestines)

The most common fluoroscopy studies are:

• Barium Swallows and Barium Meals, which examine the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine
• Small Bowel Series', which examines the small intestine
• Barium Enemas, which examine the large intestine or colon

What to expect

The most commonly used contrast dye is barium. Depending on the area of your body being looked at, your consultant will insert the dye in your anus or give you the dye to swallow in a drink.

Mammography, also known as a mammogram, uses a low dose of x-rays to examine your breasts. The soft radiation helps to show different types of breast tissue and any abnormalities. 

Consultants use mammograms to help diagnose conditions such as breast cancer.

What to expect

On the day of your scan you'll be taken to our changing room to undress to the waist. You'll be provided with an examination gown to wear.

Once you're ready, we'll ask you some routine questions. These will include:

• whether you are having periods
• the date of the first day of your last period
• the date and location of your last mammogram

If you have images from your last mammogram, please bring them with you.

During your mammogram, a specialist radiographer will position your breast in the mammography unit and apply a clear plastic compression plate. We use this to make sure we get the clearest image of your breast. You'll feel some pressure on the breast but this will only last about 10-15 few seconds. You'll hear a slight whirring noise from the unit as this happens. Once the scan is complete, the compression will automatically release.

After your scan, you may notice some skin discolouration and your breast may ache for a short time. But your mammogram will not cause any damage or long-term discomfort.

Length of scan: 10-15 minutes.