Bristol PET-CT Centre

Updated 25 July 2022

Bristol PET-CT Unit is based at North Bristol Trust and is owned and operated by Alliance Medical Limited. This service performs PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans for NHS patients the local NHS trusts and surrounding geographical areas. This offers patient choice for scanning.

The Bristol PET-CT Centre is situated within a purpose built department within the nuclear medicine department and has a multi-slice PET-CT Scanner which is fitted with various reconstruction algorithms, the choice of use dependent on the reporting radiologist.

The service offers PET-CT imaging only which is a type of molecular imaging which provides valuable information about the structure or anatomy of the tissues being examined. By giving small quantities of a radioactive injection PET produces images showing how the cells of the body are functioning. By combining PET and CT in single scanner, images are produced which can reveal information regarding the exact location, size, nature and extent of disease anywhere in the body with much greater detail.

The service operates 7.30 am to 7.30 pm Monday to Friday.

From 30 June 2021 to 13 June 2022, the service carried out 3468 examinations. In the same timeframe, 40 patients did not attend their appointment.

The service is provided as part of a national contract issued and overseen by NHS England and Improvement.

The service is registered for the regulated activity of diagnostic and screening procedures.

This service was registered in 2017 and has a registered manager in post.

We have not previously inspected or rated this service.

Updated 25 July 2022

This service had not been previously inspected. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff understood how to protect patients from abuse. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. Staff knew how to report patient safety incidents.
• Staff provided good care and treatment and gave patients enough to eat and drink. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients. Scanning services were available five days a week. Audits were comprehensive, meaningful and acted on.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait for treatment. Staff went above and beyond to make adjustments to help meet the needs of individual patients.
• Leaders had the skills and abilities to run the service and were visible and approachable. They supported staff to develop their skills and take on more senior roles. The service had a vision for what it wanted to achieve. Staff at all levels were clear about their roles and accountabilities. Risks were recorded effectively and monitored. Governance systems worked well.

However:

• The service did not use the most up to date handover forms for equipment servicing and planned preventative maintenance.
• The service did not always carry out identification or pregnancy checks in line with company policy and legislation.
• Feedback forms and surveys were not available in languages and formats other than English.
• Centrally held training records did not reflect which training was optional and which was mandatory.

Updated 25 July 2022

This service has not been previously inspected. We rated it as good. See the summary above for details.