A wide variety of patients pass through the X-Ray department; these include inpatients from our wards, out-patients from various clinics, GP patients and patients from the Emergency Department (A&E).
With the exception of A&E and ward patients, all examinations are carried out by appointment only.
Clinic patients requiring x-rays without a pre-assigned appointment may have to wait if the department is busy, as appointed patients take priority.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the hospital setting, there may be occasions where the appointments may be delayed due to unforeseen emergencies.
If you have been referred by your doctor or a specialist for an examination, they will, in most cases send us your imaging request form directly. In this instance we will endeavour to contact you as soon as possible to arrange a suitable appointment time.
If you have been given your imaging request form to take away, you should call the appropriate booking line where an appointment will either be arranged over the phone or you will be advised of the next step in booking an appointment.
Please ensure you bring the imaging request form with you to your appointment. This is a legal document and will be required prior to your procedure being processed. Without this form we are unable to perform your procedure.
Facilities - The department has a modern reception and waiting area where you can wait in comfort for your examination. There is also a dedicated children’s play area and an area for wheelchairs. There are toilets and baby changing room within this waiting area.
Polite Request - We ask that patients are not accompanied by too many people as space can be limited especially when the department is busy.
Patients are requested to wear clothes that can be easily removed from the area being imaged or clothes that do not have any metal or buttons on them.
You may be required to remove some articles of your clothing and jewellery before your procedure.
Changing rooms and gowns are provided within the department. The Radiographer or Imaging Department Assistant will advise you on which articles of clothing you may need to remove and will provide you with a gown to wear during your procedure.
Due to the potential risk of radiation exposure to an unborn child it is important that Radiographers are informed if there is a possibility of the patient being pregnant.
All patients between the ages of 12 and 55 years old undergoing X-ray examinations which cover the abdomen to knees will be asked, in confidence, what sex they were at birth. If the response is 'female' they will also be asked if there is any chance of them being pregnant.
The Bone Densitometry Unit (DEXA) is within the James Paget University Hospital building.
When attending for your appointment, you should report to the X-ray department’s reception desk where the reception staff will inform the DEXA Unit that you have arrived.
A member of the staff will then escort you to the Dexa Suite for your scan. The Suite is a short walk away from the x-ray department on the ground floor of the hospital.
Further information
For more information about Bone Density scanning please visit our Patient Information Leaflet page and click the Radiology drop down menu.
Verbal consent for any procedure will be requested prior to your examination taking place. In some specific cases written consent will also be gained from you. These consent forms will be explained to you before you are required to sign.
All patients within the JPUH have a right to a chaperone being present whilst undergoing an examination. Chaperones will always maintain your privacy and dignity. If you are having an intimate examination a chaperone will automatically be provided.
Consultant Radiologist - Doctors who have spent a further five years training in this speciality. Each Consultant Radiologist has their own interest and speciality which provides a beneficial service to the hospital.
Radiographer - degree-trained professionals, allied to medicine, who are responsible for the imaging required.
Specialist Radiographer/Sonographer - Radiographers who have completed a higher level of education and training to a Post Graduate level in their specialist field. We have some Consultant Radiographers too.
Nurses - working in the field of radiography, they provide their skills and support alongside the Radiologists and Radiographers where appropriate. The nursing team is overseen by the Sister in charge.
Assistant Practitioner – Qualified practitioner who is able to perform x-ray exams or MRI scans examinations within a limited scope.
IDA (Senior Imaging Department Healthcare Assistant) - assist and support Radiologists, Radiographers and Nurses throughout the whole of the Radiology Department with patient care and patient flow.
Admin and IT staff – we have staff in all areas supporting the Radiology service by booking appointments, ensuring reports and images are available, providing data and project support, and managing staff.
Please click here to read the leaflet X-Rays - How safe are they?
If you are to attend the department for a more specialised investigation further information will be sent with your appointment letter.