X-Rays

 

An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.

 

If you have a X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.

 

An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.

 

You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Choices website.

 

Chest X-Rays

 

If you are having a Chest X-ray, your doctor will give you an X-ray Request card, which you must take when you go for your X-ray.

 

For Chest X-Rays only there is a walk-in service at both the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Ludlow Hospital, which means you do not have to make or be given an appointment. You can simply go along whenever you wish, between certain times.

 

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital            Ludlow Hospital

 

Monday - Friday,                             Monday, Wednesday, Friday

9.00am - 4.00pm                            1.00pm - 2.30pm

  

 

All Other X-rays

 

For all other types of X-ray, your doctor will send a request card to the hospital, and the hospital will contact you with regard to an appointment.

 

When Will My Appointment Be?

 

If you have not received contact about your appointment within a couple of weeks, please ring the hospital concerned and ask to be put through to the X-ray Appointments Department, who will be able to advise you on waiting times. For the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, the X-ray Appointments Department telephone line is 01743 261150.

 

 

X-Ray Results

 

Urgent X-ray results are normally telephoned or faxed to us quickly, and we will make contact you promptly regarding these.

 

X-ray results otherwise usually take approximately 15 working days to be sent to us (and not 10 days, as patients are often quoted). You will need to phone the surgery to ask for your results, and the secretaries will call you back that afternoon between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

 

If your X-ray was taken for a hospital specialist, as part of hospital investigations, your results will be sent back to your specialist.