Radiology is a central and essential part of modern medicine. We work with the teams looking after you who have requested tests to image parts of your body to help answer a clinical question.
There are lots of different ways we can do this imaging, some using X-rays, magnets or ultrasound. You may also come to our department to have specialised image-guided procedures (for example a biopsy, joint injection or vessel imaging) which can help diagnose, treat and monitor conditions.
General information
The links below will take you to the NHS Inform website, designed by NHS Scotland, with information about some common tests and procedures we do in our radiology departments.
There may also be specific information letters about your test or procedure on the NHS Lothian patient information page (click and search for your test).
Who will I meet?
Our radiology departments are busy units providing scans and services for doctors and clinical teams from GPs, hospital specialists and regional / national opinions on imaging.
Our administration and clerical staff will be some of the first people you meet or contact, as they arrange appointments and will greet you at reception.
For most x-rays, CT or MRI scans, our radiographers will give you instructions on how to prepare and position yourself during your scan, with some radiographers also supporting x-ray reporting. For ultrasounds, sonographers are specialised practitioners who perform and interpret US scans. Radiology nurses will be involved in most image guided procedures and interventional treatments. All these groups are supported by our radiology department assistants (RDAs) who may help you before and after your scans.
Doctors who have specialised in imaging – radiologists – are involved in interpreting the imaging taken during your scan and produce reports which go to the GPs or clinical teams who requested the tests to help them look after you. In some cases the radiologist may be doing the scan themselves, or will be involved in any interventional procedures.
Information Videos
Below are a number of videos produced with the NHS Lothian Radiology teams. These including coming for common investigations (chest x-ray, CT scans, MRI scans) as well as more specialist investigations or treatments (including CT colon tests and RIG tube insertions).
Coming for a chest X-ray
Our team at St John’s Hospital have produced a video explaining what happens when you come to hospital for a chest X-ray. This video was filmed in 2020.
Coming for a CT (computed tomography) scan
Our team at the Western General Hospital have produced a video explaining what happens when you come to hospital for a CT scan. This video was filmed in 2022.
Coming for a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Our team at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, have produced a video explaining what happens when you come to hospital for an MRI. This video was filmed in 2022.
Coming for CT colon imaging (WGH)
These videos (produced in 2024) provide patients with information about CT colon examinations. These are tests commonly requested by surgeons or GI / bowel specialists, which can be used to help identify polps or lesions in the large bowel without need for endoscopy / camera tests.
The two videos are for the “CT colonography” and “minimal preparation CT colon” examinations. There are different instructions for taking the dye in advance of coming for the scan, any changes to patients’ regular medications, as well as what will happen when the patient is in our department. It should be clear from the patient’s appointment letter which test they are coming for and how to prepare for them, but if there are any concerns, the patients can contact the WGH radiology department (CT reception 0131 537 2054).
Radiology Inserted Gastrostomy Tubes (RIG tubes)
RIG tubes are a very useful support for patients who require assistance with feeding, usually due to trouble swallowing.
At WGH, these are commonly placed in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for cancer where the swallow could be impaired. The Head and Neck Cancer team have produced videos with Radiology for staff and patients; you can access these more of these videos at https://vimeo.com/channels/1700878
