CT

CT Staff Group
CT scans are offered across Tayside and your appointment could be at any of the 3 sites - Ninewells Hospital, Perth Royal Infirmary or Stracathro Hospital

Please refer to your appointment letter to confirm the location, date and time of your appointment.
 
The CT appointments are usually offered between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.  Please note, you may also be offered an appointment during the evening or at the weekend.

The Team

A small team of people including a radiologist (specialist doctor), radiographer, nurse and an assistant may carry out and be present during the examination.

What is a CT scan?

CT stands for computerised tomography.  This is an examination that uses x-rays and a computer to produce detailed scan pictures of any part of the body.  We will make your visit as comfortable as possible.
CT Scanner

Safety

CT scans expose patients to radiation.  If you have any concerns about the radiation please consult your doctor or radiologist.  Women should inform their doctors of any possibility of being pregnant before a scan is carried out.  Metal objects including jewellery, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may effect the CT images and should be removed prior to your exam.  You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.

In some cases you may have to have an injection of contrast medium (a colourless liquid often referred to as dye).  This may be injected into your arm or hand.   Contrast medium injection is usually safe.  Very rarely do serious reactions occur.  You should inform the doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions and if you have any history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems.  Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an unusal adverse effect from the contrast agents.

If you received an injection to relax your bowel  you should not drive until blurring of vision has resolved and your eyesight has returned to normal (usually within 30 minutes).

The Procedure

The radiologist, nurse or assistant may be present during the examination, though not in the scanning room.  They will explain the examination before they start.  You will be asked to lie on the CT scan table that moves your body through the scanner.  It is not an enclosed space.  There is a microphone for you and the radiographer to talk to each other. 

You should expect to be in the department for about 30 minutes.  A member of staff will let you know when you may leave.
 
If you have received an injection of contrast medium you are advised to stay within the hospital for 1 hour.

Results

The results of the CT scan will be sent to the person who referred you within 2 weeks of your appointment and they will make arrangements to let you know the results.
 
You can find details of the referring Hospital or GP Practice in your appointment letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Information

A video has been produced showing a typical journey through CT for patients.  The audio content of the video is also available as a word document. 

Please click on the link below to view the video directly from you tube or access the audio content on a word document.
HM Queen Elizabeth II black and white
NHS Tayside Logo White
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

1926 - 2022