Patients set to benefit as new Interventional Radiology Suite opened at George Eliot Hospital

Patients at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust are receiving faster, safer, and more effective treatment options following the opening of its newly upgraded Interventional Radiology (IR) suite.

The suite has opened after an 18-month redevelopment project, which makes state of the art services available to the hospital’s patients, many of whom are facing serious health challenges such as cancer and heart disease.

“This new IR suite is designed with patients at its heart,” said Haleem Ahmed IR Lead Radiographer, “By offering cutting-edge technology and a wider range of treatments in one place, we’re reducing waiting times, minimising discomfort, and improving outcomes for some of our most vulnerable patients.”

The IR suite is a crucial part of patient care at the hospital, providing minimally invasive procedures that reduce the need for major surgery, speed up recovery times, and improve overall treatment experiences.

For cancer patients, the suite offers vital services that can extend and save lives, including biopsies to diagnose tumours, drainages to relieve symptoms, and nephrostomies to assist kidney function.

Cardiology patients also benefit significantly, with the suite enabling important heart procedures such as coronary angiograms — which help diagnose blockages — and the implantation of life-saving pacemakers.

Importantly, the IR suite also serves as an operating theatre for urgent treatments like liver drains, ureteric stents, and gastrostomies, where patients receive anaesthesia and care in a safe, controlled environment. This means quicker access to critical care without the need for transfer to other departments.

The upgrade reflects George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust’s ongoing dedication to delivering compassionate, high-quality care close to home while also enabling faster recovery and shorter hospital stays.