Radiology and Imaging

The Radiology Department at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital provides highly specialised cardiac and thoracic radiology.

Our Mission:

Our mission at radiology is to work smart and hard to continue to excel and master the field of cardiothoracic radiology. We understand that nobody is perfect, but we strive towards perfection in all that we do.

Vision:

To create a world class center of excellence to lead the world in cardiothoracic and non-invasive cardiovascular radiology.  Radiology aims to continue its pivotal role in the healthcare system by providing high quality services and improving outcomes by implementing the latest technologies and guidelines, fostering research and embracing educational programs. We believe our diversity is our strength, enhancing collaborative work and providing respectful, and culturally sensitive patient care. 

The Team

• The Radiology team consists of specialist Consultant Radiologists, Radiographers, RDAs, Operational, Administrative and other staff groups.
• Our team is highly experienced in cardiothoracic imaging including advanced CT and MRI imaging techniques of the heart and chest, for example coronary / cardiac CT, aorta imaging, chest MRI, stress studies, complex ACHD and cardiomyopathies.
• Our MRI Department holds advanced European Society Cardiac MRI accreditation from the European Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (ECAVI).
• Opportunities for advanced radiographer practice in both CT and MRI are available including radiographer independent cardiac CT and stress MRI list supervision.
• The team have written many abstracts, learning and research that have been shared at national and international conferences that have been published.  More information regarding these are available on the consultant profiles.
• We are a recognised cardiothoracic imaging training site in the Health Education England North West School of Radiology Training Scheme with regular placements of specialty registrars from the North West of England as well as North Wales. 
• LHCH currently provide a calendar of teaching sessions for trainees which provides Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
• In addition, the Team has a Clinical Fellowship programme in Radiology, which supports the training of the fellows, senior trainees and junior consultants both nationally and internationally including honorary fellow placements. Available posts are advertised on nhsjobs.com.

• The Radiology Department opened in March 2006 and is a shared radiology service providing diagnostic imaging for Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital. 
• The LHCH Radiology service ensures essential and highly skilled thoracic (chest), or cardiac (heart) scans are carried out to support each service within LHCH. The Radiology team works closely with various multi-disciplinary teams to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a wide range of thoracic and cardiac conditions. This is in cooperation with an expert input from cardiology imaging specialists.
• Since opening in 2006 the Radiology Department has expanded rapidly to meet demand.  The department now has two CT scanners (Siemens Force), two Siemens MRI scanners (1.5T and 3T) along with x-ray and ultrasound.
• All equipment used within the department to acquire images are digital and once acquired these are transferred via network to the PACS Carestream system.   The PACS system enables Radiologists to report their findings rapidly, enabling clinicians on the wards and in clinics to access their patient’s images and expert opinions in a timely manner.
• The department also has introduced a dedicated theatre system a Philips FD 20 Allura, which is an imaging system used in the most complex of aneurysm and TAVI procedures.   This technologically advanced imaging system is the very first in the UK to be sited within the theatre environment and offers totally sterile conditions.  
• The department employs a range of diagnostic images using techniques such as Digital Radiography, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and provides clinicians on the wards, clinics and operating theatres with the images they need to plan the most effective way to treat our patients.
• The latest software updates have been made to our CT and MRI scanners and workstations including Artificial Intelligence (AI) which enable and reduce the reporting time required.
• The department is implementing an early stroke detection AI software which enables swift diagnosis, transfer and treatment of patients. 
• The LHCH Radiology service plays an important role in the targeted Lung Health Check Service to diagnose cancer in its earliest stages, often before symptoms are noticed.  The Clinical Lead for Radiology for the service is a consultant radiologist from LHCH and this is also supported by number of other consultants and members of the team.  

We ask patients to arrive for their appointment wearing loose-fitting clothing and to confirm their personal details with the receptionist.

Any examination that requires a special set of instructions will also need an appointment and these instructions together with appointment details, will be sent via post to the patients home address and can be checked in advance on the following link Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital | Explain My Procedure (lhch.nhs.uk). In the near future so that we can extend choice to the patient we are planning to staff a telephone booking service.

• The department aims to ensure that our services patient and family focused however there are times when the department is very busy and we need to restrict numbers of visitors in the department especially as the waiting areas are small and we need to ensure all our patients can be accommodated.
• Visitors are encouraged to support their relatives whist they are in Radiology but the staff also need to ensure the radiation safety of visitors. Depending on the type of examination that the patient is undergoing, visitors may at times be asked to wait outside the X ray room whist the patient is having their examination.
• Please see our Patient Information Leaflets for more information on MRI and CT Scans.

• For outpatients the department is open from 8:30 am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday
• For GP patients the department is open from 08:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday there is no need to book an appointment.
• The department operates a 24/7 service for inpatients.
• There is also a CT and Cath lab radiographer on call for out of hours emergency cases.

Our department can be found on the ground floor and the nearest entrance is the shared main reception (LHCH & Broadgreen).  Radiology is located next to the LHCH Outpatients Department.  A map of the site is available here.