University Hospitals Dorset Launches Community Diagnostic Imaging Centre at HSU
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is pleased to have launched an additional diagnostic imaging centre based at Health Sciences University.
Health Sciences University has leased 130m2 space on the ground floor of its Clinic building to UHD to give the NHS extra capacity for diagnostic imaging. The new UHD diagnostic imaging centre houses a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner and ultrasound facilities. A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the inside of the body. Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create images of part of the inside of the body.
In February 2023 AECC University College (since renamed Health Science University) was named by NHS England as one of the Dorset Community Diagnostic Centre ‘spoke’ sites, with funding provided to support the development of a CT and ultrasound suite onsite.
The provision of spoke sites aims to reach into known areas of deprivation to support the levelling up of health and health care inequalities and to enable the development of place-based partnerships. These partnerships offer the NHS the opportunity to work with communities, anchor institutions, local authorities, and local enterprise partnerships to tackle health and wellbeing across Dorset.
The new UHD diagnostic imaging department complements HSU’s own in-house Clinical Imaging Services, which include an open upright MRI scanner (one of only seven in the country), ultrasound clinic, and X-Ray department. Patients can be referred to the HSU imaging services by all registered health care professionals as well as GPs, providing an additional resource to help alleviate pressure on the NHS.
Vice-Chancellor of HSU, Professor Lesley Haig, said: “This is an exciting new venture with UHD and we are delighted to be able to support the Trust in this way. As Dorset’s only provider of pre-registration radiography courses and with our onsite clinical imaging services, our working partnership with UHD is critical in supporting the development of future workforce as well as enhancing patient access to diagnostic services.
“Our imaging partnership started with the commissioning of Ultrasound services here on campus in March 2021 as part of Covid-19 Recovery. Since then, we have undertaken 10,000 scans as part of a collaboration between UHD and HSU. We have also been working with UHD to develop a pan-Dorset Radiography Academy, to secure a partnership approach to training Dorset’s future radiography workforce. We also hosted a mobile MRI unit on our campus last year, to support UHD in providing additional capacity for important community-based diagnostic imaging.
“We look forward to working closely with UHD colleagues going forward, as part of our commitment to supporting the development of the health workforce and in supporting the delivery of healthcare in Dorset.”
Mark Mould, UHD’s Chief Operating Officer, said:
“The national Community Diagnostic Centres programme has allowed us to work with partners across Dorset to expand diagnostics in community settings.
“With Poole Hospital as the major elective care hub for east Dorset, alongside sites in Weymouth, Dorchester, Beales at Poole, we are delighted to welcome Health Sciences University (HSU) as our newest partner, further improving accessibility to care.
“By strategically placing these spoke sites, we’re tackling health disparities and ensuring access to diagnostics reaches communities that need it most.
“Our partnership with HSU, offering strong educational links in radiography and ultrasonography, also plays a key role in developing a skilled local workforce to support healthcare across Dorset.”
Above: CT Scanner At HSU
