A new gamma camera at Glenfield Hospital is expanding nuclear medicine capacity and diagnostic access across Leicester and the surrounding area.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has installed the GE Aurora SPECT/CT system as part of a wider refurbishment of its nuclear medicine service.
The system combines nuclear medicine imaging with high-resolution CT imaging, allowing clinicians to assess how organs function and view their physical structure during one examination.
SPECT uses a small amount of radioactive material to show activity inside the body, while CT uses X-rays to produce detailed images of internal structures.
The technology is expected to support earlier and more accurate diagnoses, guide treatment decisions and improve patient pathways through more efficient diagnostic services.
The trust’s nuclear medicine service currently supports around 5,000 patients each year.
The new equipment will provide capacity for up to 1,000 additional appointments annually, helping meet rising demand and improve access to specialist imaging.
The installation forms part of a wider refurbishment and consolidation programme at Glenfield Hospital, which has become the central hub for the trust’s diagnostic nuclear medicine services.
Martyn Farmer, interim group head of nuclear medicine at UHL and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, said: “Installing this new camera and refurbishing our base at Glenfield Hospital represent important steps in shaping the future of nuclear medicine at UHL.
“These developments will strengthen the service we provide to patients, increase our capacity, and support our teams in continuing to deliver high-quality specialist imaging now and in the years ahead.”
The gamma camera was installed through a managed equipment service in partnership with Ergéa UK, supporting the trust’s investment in healthcare technology and access to modern diagnostic equipment.
John Muolo, executive vice president and director of strategic relationships at Ergéa UK and Ireland, said: “Enabling access to the latest healthcare technologies has always been a key focus of the UHL and Ergéa partnership.
“Through close collaboration and a shared commitment to innovation, our teams work together to advance care, improve service delivery, and support better outcomes for patients.”
The new gamma camera was formally unveiled at an opening ceremony in June, attended by UHL colleagues, clinical teams and project partners.
