International nuclear medicine experts visit £14 million Singleton Hospital development
A group of nearly 70 nuclear medicine professionals from around the world visited the new £14 million PET-CT Scanner development being delivered by Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out business, for Swansea Bay University Health Board at Singleton Hospital in Swansea.
Organised by Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Head of Nuclear Medicine, Professor Neil Hartman, the visit provided an opportunity for delegates to see the exemplar project first hand and share lessons learnt from its development.
The visit formed part of the British Nuclear Medicine Society Autumn Meeting, held in Swansea, at Brangwyn Hall, on 24th and 25 September. The conference brought together internationally recognised experts to deliver a carefully curated blend of clinical excellence, technological innovation and workforce development.
The new facility at The South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital will house a PET-CT scanner, which combines computed tomography and positron emission tomography to produce detailed images that can reveal cancer and certain other diseases that may not appear on other types of scan.
Professor Neil Hartman said: “The new building will make a significant difference to patient care. For the first time, we will be able to carry out paediatric PET scanning, scanning under general anaesthetic and brain scanning, which we are not able to do at the moment.
“We will also have the potential to provide scanning five full extended days five days a week, offering greater flexibility and helping more patients access this important diagnostic service.”
During the visit, delegates were able to see how the new facility is taking shape and discuss the considerations involved in creating an environment for advanced nuclear medicine services. The visit also provided a valuable opportunity for specialists to exchange knowledge that could inform the planning and delivery of similar facilities elsewhere.
Chris Edmonds, Regional Director – Wales at Tilbury Douglas, added: “Welcoming specialists from across the world was an important opportunity to share knowledge and demonstrate the progress being made at Singleton Hospital.
“This development will expand the range of scans available locally and make a meaningful difference to patients and clinical teams. We are pleased to be working with Swansea Bay University Health Board to help create a facility that supports the future of nuclear medicine in the region.”
Capital funding for the development has been provided by the Welsh Government through its all Wales PET-CT programme. The first patients are expected to be scanned in the new facility in early 2027.
