11 October 2013
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A HI-TECH imaging lab helping radiologists assess cancer growths earlier is one of six Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust innovations nominated for a major regional award. The pioneering 3D imaging lab at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital beat off stiff competition from hundreds of entries from across the region to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Yorkshire and Humber Medipex NHS Innovation Awards. The awards highlight pioneering ways of improving patient care. The state-of-the-art technology uses some of the most advanced techniques in the world, giving clinicians access to high quality scans and easier-to-interpret data which can help better predict the outcome of heart disease, dementia and tumours. This includes the ability to pinpoint precisely how much bigger a tumour or growth has become, rapid segmentation of images so that areas of the brain can be examined in detail, and an ability to compare different scans without having to do complex calculations. The latter can be vital in identifying aggressive cancers early as even a slight difference of position between how a patient is lying can affect tumour growth measurements. Radiologists can also process the images in seconds as opposed to between 40 minutes and an hour – saving time and money. Peter Metherall, a clinical scientist from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who brought the technology over to Sheffield after seeing its widespread use in the United States, said:: “We’re delighted to have been nominated as successful finalists for this prestigious regional award. The exceptionally high quality results produced through the 3D software allow clinicians to precisely identify how much bigger a tumour has grown and see exactly where that growth has occurred. This adds important information to guide the best treatment for the patient.” The 3D imaging lab at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals is the only one in the UK to have integrated this type of technology into daily medical practice. Sir Andrew Cash, chief executive for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a strong tradition of innovation, so we are proud to be making a difference to patients by developing new and innovative devices that could transform care across the region. It’s also a privilege to see six of our ideas highlighted as being at the forefront of patient care.” Other finalists from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust include:
Winners of the regional Yorkshire and Humber Medipex NHS Innovation Awards were announced at a special event at Tankersley Manor Hotel, near Barnsley on Thursday 10 October 2013. ENDS MEDIA CONTACT: |
