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Radiology

What we do

We are a modern and comprehensively equipped department offering a complete range of radiological examinations and procedures for adults. This department performs 57% of UH Bristol Radiology's service and provides 24 hours cover for inpatients and the Emergency Department

Our specialisms

The Clinical Radiology Department was awarded  ISAS accreditation in 2018.

Locations 
Main X-ray Department - A217
A&E X-ray Department - A308

Further information for patients

Direct Access Referrals - without an appointment

NB  These referrals are only valid for one calendar month from date of referral.  

Plain Films:-

Appointments are not required for general non-invasive studies, eg lumbar spine and chest x-rays. Patients will be examined on a first come first seen basis.

Following an electronic (ICE) request, patients need to report to the Bristol Royal Infiirmary x-ray reception. If ICE is not available then patients should bring a completed request form with them. No appointments are required for general non-invasive studies, eg lumbar spine, chest x-rays.

Attendance times:
Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm

Or you can attend the x-ray department at the South Bristol NHS Community Hospital in Hengrove. 

Open Access abdominal ultrasound examinations

Specific appointments are not required for upper abdominal ultrasound (GB, biliary tree, pancreas, liver, spleen, kidney). Patients will need to ring the number supplied asap for a convenient slot at either the Bristol Royal Infirmary or South Bristol NHS Community Hospital to be arranged within one month of the request. Please see details stated on the specified request/information sheet.

Patients should attend following the required preparation, and if the referral has not been electronically, then the patient will need to bring the request form with them.

Other radiological examinations
Appointments are required for all other procedures and imaging modalities as the request must be vetted, protocolled and agreed by a consultant radiologist. This is to enable appropriate preparation and/or patient scheduling to be arranged, according to priority and urgency.

For all radiological examinations requiring an appointment, whether general practitioner or consultant referral, the appointment is allocated following agreement and assignment of priority by a consultant radiologist. Therefore, it is not possible for appointments to be given to you immediately the referral is made. Subsequent appointments will be notified by post.

Your examination results

When you have an imaging test it is important that the doctor who requested your tests acts on the results.
Your examination will be conducted by a radiographer or a radiologist and a formal report issued to your GP or clinician by a radiologist.
Reports should be with your GP within 10 working days. If you have not been told your results by your GP, contact the surgery and do not assume there is nothing you need to know or "no news" means all is well.

For hospital referrals the results will be ready for your next hospital clinic visit.

Conditions we treat

The BRI Radiology Department provides a diagnostic imaging service. However the following interventional procedures are undertaken by consultant radiologists:

  • Liver ablations
  • Vascular angioplasties
  • Embolisations
  • Biopsies

Treatments offered

  • Arteriography - x-ray examination carried out under local anaesthetic which demonstrates blood vessels by means of an injectable agent called a contrast medium
  • Barium enema - X-ray examination of lower bowel
  • Barium meal - X-ray examination of the upper bowel
  • CT (Computerised Tomography) - Special type of X-ray in which the X-ray is connected to a computer which produces a cross-sectional image
  • DXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptometry) - Uses a fine X-ray beam to measure the amount of calcium in bones (and body composition when requested)
  • Gastrografin Enema - X-ray examination of lower bowel used for planning treatment
  • IVU (Excretion Urography) - X-ray investigation of the kidneys and bladder enhanced by an x-ray dye
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - A strong magnetic field is used instead of x-rays to image the inside of the body
  • Myocardial perfusion scans - Scan used to look at heart muscles
  • Plain X-rays - Most common examination performed
  • Proctogram - X-ray examination of the lower bowel
  • Nuclear Medicine - A small amount of radioisotope is used to image specific areas of the body
  • Ultrasound - Uses sound wave to produce image

Virtual tours of the Radiology Department, BRI

Please click on the link for:-

BRI Main entrance:  https://goo.gl/maps/uCgKKocy2mG2

Radiology Reception:  https://goo.gl/maps/PZX4QcJutG32

MRI:  https://goo.gl/maps/HwgfySFEfDr

Ultrasound:  https://goo.gl/maps/Po8dDQmCQGA2

CT:  https://goo.gl/maps/AB5kMZN4RtK2

Fluoroscopy:  https://goo.gl/maps/KKzP3HZYVoN2

Contact us

Main reception: 0117 342 2639

Appointments:

  • Accident and Emergency - 0117 342 2724
  • Chest X-rays - 0117 342 2639
  • CT- 0117 342 9348
  • Gastrointestinal- 0117 342 2621
  • General ultrasound- 0117 342 2621
  • General/Echocardiography- 0117 342 9343
  • MRI- 0117 342 7487
  • Nuclear Medicine - 0117 342 9238
  • Urology/Musculoskeletal- 0117 342 2796
  • Vascular/Angio/Venography - 0117 342 2798

Referral information for clinicians