Our CT Gamma Scanner Appeal

We want to raise £600,000 to fund new state-of-the-art CT Gamma Scanner technology to help support our NHS staff and the patients they care for at our hospitals.

This high-tech equipment allows patients to have two specialist scans at the same time; an external CT (Computed Tomography) scan and a gamma scan from within the body, diagnosing conditions which otherwise cannot be found. This new technology could help more than 4,000 patients every year in the county.

If you would like to make a donation to support the appeal today, helping us to be one step closer to our target, please visit our donation page.

Dr Janelle Reyes-Goddard, Head of Nuclear Medicine at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “In medicine, technology moves so quickly, and we want to make sure we have the latest equipment here to deliver the very best possible care to the Gloucestershire community. It will also help us cut down on the number of hospital appointments and scans needed for our patients.

“The combination of CT and a gamma camera gives an incredible detailed picture quality, which can be used in a number of situations and benefits every age group. For example, this type of imaging can be highly effective at identifying kidney problems in babies as well as being particularly beneficial in helping to diagnose Parkinson’s disease.”

How does the technology work?

The gamma camera scanner is used in nuclear medicine where a small amount of radioactive material is injected to look at the function of different parts of the body. The material, known as a tracer, moves through the body and is taken up by the organs that are being investigated, giving off gamma ray energy. This energy is then picked up by the gamma camera scanner and images are taken.

At the same appointment a CT scanner also takes a cross section of images of the body from the outside and then both are combined to produce an incredibly detailed picture which helps to diagnose and monitor conditions more effectively.

It can help diagnose and treat rare cancers and kidney problems in children, neurological conditions, heart disease, hairline fractures such as sports injuries as well as people with symptoms of long COVID.

‘This scan helped me to have peace of mind’

A local patient fell ill in August this year and was admitted to Cheltenham General Hospital with an acute pain in her kidneys. After doctors ruled out suspected kidney stones or a severe infection a CT scan was ordered which showed there was a mass and a blockage in one of her kidneys.

“I went from feeling totally fine to suddenly being in acute pain, but I initially wasn’t concerned believing it could be something relatively common like kidney stones,” she said. “Then when they told me there was a mass and an obstruction, I naturally became more anxious. I am a single mum, and my daughter relies on me and I was worried what if anything happened to me?”

She was quickly sent for a gamma scan at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital so doctors could better explore the mass, blockage and kidney function. She was also booked in for a ureteroscopy where a tiny telescope was used to examine her kidneys.

“The scan was non-invasive, and the staff were absolutely wonderful talking me through the procedure and what would happen,” she said. “Following the scan and the operation, doctors were able to put my mind at rest that my kidney function had returned to normal and the mass had disappeared. It was such a relief and gave me the peace of mind I needed.

“I went from feeling 100% well to being in acute pain and concerned about a mass and potential kidney failure, but this specialist scan enabled me to get the all-clear so quickly.”

How you can help

This is the second phase of the charity’s CT Scanner Appeal which was first launched in 2018. So far, it has raised £2.6million to fund imaging technology which now helps nearly 30,000 patients every year.

Head of Fundraising Richard Smith said: “Thanks to all the amazing donations, fundraising and gifts in wills, we now have three new CT scanners and two mobile digital x-ray machines benefitting so many people; from patients with cancer, or who may have suffered a stroke to premature babies needing urgent treatment.

“We hope people will now help us raise the funds needed to buy this new scanning technology that will enable us to diagnose and treat even more patients. You can support us in so many ways from a one-off donation to a sponsored charity event and every bit of money raised will bring us a step closer to reaching our target.”

You can help support the appeal in many ways including:

• Donating online here
• Raising funds on JustGiving with a sponsored challenge here
• Organising a fundraising event at your local school, work, gym or community group
• Making the appeal your company’s charity of the year
• Supporting transformational projects in the hospitals through a gift in your will

With your support we can help save and transform more local lives in Gloucestershire with the latest imaging technology.