Nuclear Medicine Service – Freeman

Our imaging tests have two parts: for most tests we will give you a small dose of radioactivity injected into a vein in your arm or hand, but for other tests you may be asked to swallow or inhale the radioactivity. We will then take pictures using a ‘gamma camera’. This allows us to see how different parts of your body are functioning.

Some tests may be performed on a SPECT-CT scanner. This may include X-Rays to give additional information

The injection might hurt a little.

It feels similar to having a blood sample taken. You should not feel any ill effects from the injection, it does not make you sleepy.

It does not prevent you from driving your car or returning to work.

We may take pictures straight after your injection or ask you to return later. In some cases we may ask you to come back more than once so we can see how your body handles the radioactivity over time.

Your appointment letter will give information about the time we may need for your test – please check this carefully; it is important that you allow enough time for your whole appointment.

If there is more than an hour between different parts of your test you will be able to leave the department during this period. You can also eat and drink as normal between the different parts of the test unless our staff tell you otherwise.

When the pictures are taken you may have to lie on a bed, sit on a chair or stand very still. You will not usually need to take off any clothes, but will be asked to remove metal items such as jewellery or belt buckles.

We live with background radiation constantly. The injection is not dangerous, and the amount of radiation you get is small. We only carry out these tests when the expected benefit to you is greater than any risk associated with the radiation involved.

Direct Line: – (0191) 21 38200

Your appointment letter will give any special instructions for your test.

If no instructions are given in your letter then no preparation is needed.

When your test is complete you can eat, drink and go where you wish. You should drink plenty of fluids and visit the toilet frequently for the rest of the day. This will help flush the radioactivity out of your body. Unless you are advised otherwise by our staff or in your appointment letter there are no restrictions on what you can do after your appointment.

Patients are often concerned about contact with others, especially children, after a nuclear medicine imaging investigation. There is no need to avoid normal social contacts. It may be advisable to avoid very close contact with young children for the rest of the day.

A report will be sent to the doctor or specialist nurse who asked for the test.

We are not able to discuss results with you on the day.

We would like your visit to be as pleaseant and stres free as possible.

Please feel free to phone before your appointment or ask staff before they give you the radioactive injection.

Direct Line: – (0191) 21 38200

Parking information may be found here: Getting to hospital – Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk)

The Nuclear Medicine Department is located in the Northern Centre for Cancer Care building NCCC at Freeman Hospital.

Our department is signposted Nuclear Medicine from the Main entrance, the Cardiothoracic entrance and NCCC entrance, which is nearest the department.

You can enter the hospital from any of these locations.

We are located on Level 2 near to the Sir Bobby Robson unit and WHSmith coffee shop.