Radiology
What we do
We are a modern and comprehensively equipped department offering
a complete range of radiological examinations and procedures for
adults. The department also provides 24 hour 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
Emergency department X-ray - A308
Further information for patients
Direct Access Referrals - without an
appointment. 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 Infirmary 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
Community Hospital in Hengrove.
Ultrasound examinations
This is an appointment system and requires a referral from your
GP or doctor. Currently we are unable to offer an Open Access
Service and patients will receive an appointment letter for their
ultrasound scan in the post. Appointments are allocated following
agreement and assignment of priority by the Ultrasound Team. If
your referral is prioritised as urgent the Appointments Team will
contact you by phone to arrange your appointment. Please be aware
calls to mobiles will display 'no caller id'.
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 after 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,
sonographer or 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:
Contact us
Main reception: 0117 342 2639
Appointments:
- Emergency department - 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/Musculoskeleta l- 0117 342 2796
- Vascular/Angio/Venography - 0117 342 2798
