Revamped PET Centre opens

The newly refurbished PET Centre at St Thomas’ Hospital was officially opened on Friday 26 September.

Its state-of-the-art imaging technology will improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, epilepsy and dementia.

“The centre will help us treat patients faster and more accurately by improving diagnosis,” says Professor Alexander Hammers, Head of the PET Centre.

“The new scanners, capacity and state-of-the-art capabilities will also help keep the PET Centre at the forefront of imaging research.”

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is an imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image of how the body is working.

The refurbished PET Centre combines PET with either Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in what is called ‘hybrid’ imaging.

“Hybrid scanning means patients are exposed to less radiation. It also reduces scan times and improves scan quality,” explains Professor Gary Cook, Professor of Clinical PET Imaging and Head of Cancer Imaging at King’s College London.

“This has reduced waiting times. All patients who need a scan urgently are now being scanned within 24 to 48 hours.”

The PET Imaging Centre is jointly funded by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity - it includes two PET-CT Scanners and a PET-MR scanner.

The second phase of the PET Centre Redevelopment Project is now underway - it will further improve treatment and research facilities.