Radiology Service
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What the Radiology service is and offers
Welcome to Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) Radiology. Radiology is the branch of medicine specialising in the use of imaging to diagnose conditions seen within the body.
Radiographers, Radiologists and Sonographers use imaging techniques such as X-ray and Ultrasound, in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. PTHB sites at Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Ystradgynlais use X-ray techniques working closely alongside the PTHB Minor Injury Units (MIU) and support Maternity services using Ultrasound technology for Powys patients during pregnancy.
PTHB Radiology departments are equipped with general radiography equipment (X-ray machines), dental units, and ultrasound scanners.
Locations of the Radiology service
Our imaging departments and teams provide an imaging service at sites across Powys at:
- Victoria Memorial Hospital, Welshpool
- Montgomeryshire County Infirmary (Newtown Hospital), Newtown
- Bro Ddyfi Hospital, Machynlleth
- Llandrindod Wells Memorial Hospital
- Breconshire War Memorial Hospital, Brecon
- Ystradgynlais Community Hospital
How can you see the Radiology service?
The Radiology service includes general radiology imaging services for hospital inpatients as well as undertaking referrals from General Practitioners (GPs), Minor Injury Units (MIU), visiting Consultants in special one-stop clinics and Allied Health Professions (AHPs).
Our Radiology departments accept NHS and private referrals, but do not accept self-referrals by patients. Referrals must always come from a Healthcare Professional such as your GP or Consultant. Other Healthcare Professionals, for example a Physiotherapist or Podiatrist, can also refer you for imaging, where they have completed additional specific training to gain entitlement to refer you.
We serve the local population of Powys for X-ray and ultrasound imaging. For additional types of imaging such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT), Dexa scan or Mammography you would be referred to another hospital outside of Powys.
What should you expect during appointments?
Unless you are a Minor Injury Unit (MIU) patient, you will receive a letter from us inviting you for an appointment. The letter will outline anything you might need to do before attending or anything that you might need to bring with you.
Patients attending Minor Injury Units, will contact the MIU in the first instance to be reviewed by a Healthcare Professional. If an X-ray is required following your assessment in MIU you will be asked to attend the X-ray department.
It’s important for our patients’ peace of mind to understand better what to expect during a Radiology procedure or examination. Talking with our team and your referring Healthcare Professional is the best place to start, but here are some commonly asked questions before a Radiology appointment.
Advice for Healthcare Professionals: Referral criteria and forms
Please contact your local Radiology department to refer for imaging within Powys for plain film or ultrasound. Depending on your entitlement to refer and scope of practice you will be issued with a referral form.
Meet the Radiology Team
The Radiology Team includes the following roles:
- Professional Head of Radiology
- Governance and Lead Ultrasonographer
- Team Lead Radiographer
- Sonographers
- Reporting Radiographers
- Senior Radiographers
- Radiographers
- Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW)
- Administration
Other Healthcare Professionals, for example Midwife Sonographers, can complete Ultrasound examinations relating to maternity and at some sites work from the Radiography department.
Advice and support resources
X-ray imaging
Further general information on the X-ray imaging method is available via the following link to the NHS.uk website:
Ultrasound imaging
Further general information on the ultrasound imaging method is available via the following link to the NHS.uk website:
A patient journey through Radiology
The following link provides a YouTube video exemplifying a patient’s journey through a Radiology department:
A patient’s journey through a radiology department - YouTube Video (youtube.com)
Ultrasound scan example
The following link provides a YouTube video exemplifying what happens during an ultrasound scan:
What happens in an Ultrasound scan? - YouTube video (youtube.com)
NHS Wales National Imaging Programme advice
The following link is to the 'Medical imaging: what you need to know' publication from the NHS Wales National Imaging Programme. This publication will give you some information on the different types of imaging examinations and their benefits and risks. Your Healthcare Professional will make sure that the benefits to you personally of having any examination are greater than the radiation risks. You can use the table at the end of this publication to look at the radiation risks for different examinations. If you still have questions after reading this publication, please ask your Healthcare Professional:
Keeping Well While You Wait
If you are currently waiting for surgery or treatment, preparing effectively and learning how to manage your symptoms can make a significant difference to your treatment outcome and recovery. Powys Teaching Health Board’s ‘Keeping Well While You Wait’ webpage provides a range of advice to support this, at the following link:
Keeping Well While You Wait - Powys Teaching Health Board (pthb.nhs.wales)
Contact details for the service
Phone numbers, services provided and service hours:
Patient feedback to the service
We aim to offer you great customer service, with direct access to our imaging service for inpatients and those who have been referred by their Healthcare Professional. We value and welcome your feedback to help us improve. Please take the time to complete one of our feedback forms during your visit to us.
Should our service fall below satisfactory in any aspect during your visit, please follow the Health Board’s concerns and complaints procedure, as detailed on the PTHB webpage at the following link:
Feedback and Concerns - Powys Teaching Health Board (pthb.nhs.wales)
The Concerns / Patient Experience Team will work with us for a full response.
Please be aware that we are a training site for undergraduate Radiographers supporting Bangor and Cardiff Universities.
Access to health records
Please be advised that the Radiology department cannot allow photographs to be taken during or after any examination procedure. To obtain copies of any imaging please see the advice and request processes detailed on the PTHB ‘Access to Information’ webpage, available at the following link:
Access to Information - Powys Teaching Health Board (pthb.nhs.wales)