Walk-in X-ray service launched for Leeds & Bradford patients

Company news

Mar 22, 2011

Patients in the Leeds and Bradford area are benefiting from quicker diagnosis and treatments, thanks to a new NHS walk-in x-ray clinic.

Ideal for patients with busy lifestyles, the new direct access service has been launched by Eccleshill NHS Treatment Centre and allows patients to receive an x-ray, without the need for a pre-booked appointment. All they need is a referral from their GP.

The centre, which is run by Care UK, offers a full diagnostics unit, and until now patients needing an x-ray would have had to wait for an appointment via their GP. Under the new walk-in clinic, patients who have been referred can drop in at a time that suits them and get their x-ray done in the next available slot.

The clinic will also offer extended x-ray hours, running until 8pm on selected evenings, meaning people can access the service after work.

General manager for Care UK at Eccleshill NHS Treatment Centre, Anne Stewart, said: “The aim of our new walk-in clinic is to make it easier and more convenient for patients to get an x-ray so that they can get diagnosed and treated more quickly.

“As long as they have a referral from their GP, they can potentially get their x-ray done on the same day, with no need to wait for an appointment.”

The walk-in service, which is run by an experienced, highly trained team of radiographers, offers general x-rays which are mainly used for diagnosing bone and joint injuries as well as abdominal and chest complaints.

Colin Poxon, 67, from Wrose, Bradford, was one of the first patients to experience the walk-in x-ray service and was impressed by the speed in which he was seen.

“I was having breathing difficulties and my GP referred me for an x-ray. He suggested Eccleshill Treatment Centre as he’d recently had a tour of the centre and heard about the new walk-in service,” said Colin.

“I went straight there after seeing my GP and within 25 minutes, I’d had my x-ray. I couldn’t believe how quick it was. Several days later I had a letter to go back for a scan, so I called in on the same day and had the scan done there and then.

“To be able to walk in and out on the same day as getting referred by my GP was fantastic, I didn’t have to wait about or worry. I couldn’t recommend the centre more highly, the staff even remembered me when I walked in.”

The service is open 8am-5pm, extended to 8pm on selected evenings. Patients must have a referral from their GP and are advised to ring on the day to check if the extended hours are available.