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University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Measurement Department
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
University Hospitals Dorset

Clinical Measurement: the application of scientific principles to perform measurements on the human body.

The Royal Bournemouth Hospital Clinical Measurement Department is part of the Radiology Directorate and is located close to the Radiology (X-Ray) reception. We specialise in:

  • Vascular Non-invasive diagnostics including Duplex (Doppler) Ultrasound
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Physiology

All staff are trained to a minimum of Masters degree level with a diverse array of 1st degrees in Physics, Medicine, Radiography, Biology and Physiology. We are assisted by Senior Medical Physics Assistants.

We are closely associated with the Medical Physics Department at Poole Hospital.

Medical Physics is the application of physics concepts, theories and methods to medicine or healthcare. IPEM Link This includes:

  • Radiotherapy
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Diagnostic Radiology Physics
  • Clinical Measurement
  • Radiation Protection
  • Medical Electronics
  • Information Technology

Vascular Non-Invasive diagnostics including Duplex (Doppler) Ultrasound

Bournemouth Hospital is the hub for the Dorset and Wiltshire Vascular Network (DWVN) which also includes Salisbury District Hospital and Dorset County Hospital.

The vascular network is responsible for the management, diagnosis & treatment of vascular disease in Dorset, West Hampshire and South Wiltshire.

So what is 'Vascular Disease'?

Vascular disease is any abnormal condition of the blood vessels (arteries and veins). You can read more about Vascular Disease by looking on the website of the Circulation Foundation- the vascular disease charity

Patients are referred to us by vascular surgeons and stroke physicians in particular. However we are also referred patients from diabetes specialists, rheumatology, the eye unit, oncology and others.

What vascular work do we do?

  • We perform duplex (or Doppler) Ultrasound scans of blood flow in most parts of the body.
  • We measure various physiological functions including pressure in the arteries of the arm, foot and toe. (ABPI and TBI). We also measure volume changes in legs (plethysmography) to obtain information on the function of leg veins.

These are some of the vascular tests we do here:

  • Carotid Duplex Scan
  • Arterial Duplex Scan of Legs
  • ABPI (doppler test)
  • Leg Vein Reflux Duplex Scan
  • Leg/Arm Vein Duplex Scan (DVT)
  • Vein mapping-for-bypass
  • Arterio-Venous Fistula Duplex Scan
  • Arm vein/artery Duplex Scan pre fistula formation
  • Arterial Graft/stent surveillance
  • Iliac vein stent surveillance
  • Air plethysmography
  • Ultrasound for Giant cell / Temporal Arteritis

You can view our patient information leaflets here

You can also read about the work we do by looking on the website of the Society for Vascular Technology of Great Britain & Ireland (SVT)

What qualifications do we have?

All trained staff are members of SVT. Most are SVT accredited vascular scientists and/or have qualified most recently through the National School for Healthcare Science, Scientists Training Programme (STP). Most are qualified Clinical Scientists HCPC.

Clinical measurement staff Clinical measurement staff

Clinical measurement staff Clinical measurement staff

Clinical measurement staff Clinical measurement staff

Upper Gastrointestinal Physiology

We perform manometry and ambulatory pH/ impedance studies

These tests are mostly requested by clinicians specialising in Gastroenterology. We also see some patients who are referred with possible respiratory related illness from the thoracic (respiratory medicine) department and others. The tests are usually considered to be a prerequisite before performing anti-reflux surgery.

The practitioner performing these tests is accredited by the Association of Gastrointestinal Physiology (AGIP) which is part of the British Society of Gastroenterology

Manometry is performed using a high resolution system

pH with or without impedance measurement is performed with a portable monitor allowing the patient to go home and carry on with most of their daily routine.

contact Dominic Foy; Clinical & Scientific Lead for Medical Physics at Royal Bournemouth Hospital - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

X-ray

The X-ray departments at all of our hospitals provide a diagnostic service for the local population.

Working together, and benefitting from state–of–the–art technology, we aim to provide our patients with the very best in diagnostic and interventional imaging services.

On arrival to the X-ray reception, you will be greeted by our friendly clerical team. Our assistants will attend to you when it is time for your X-ray examination; supporting you with any queries you may have. To ensure that you as the patient receive optimum diagnostic images, you may be required to change into one of our hospital gowns.

All our radiographers are HCPC registered demonstrating both standards and high level of competency.  We support student radiographers from Exeter and Portsmouth Universities which are supervised at all time with no compromise to your patient experience while under our care.

We have a dedicated team of consultant radiologists and specialist radiographers who;

  • Ensure expert review and diagnostic interpretation of your imaging
  • Perform specialised procedures
  • 24-hour medical emergency service for patients seen through the emergency department

Please note, as of 11 March 2025, CT and X-ray services for the Royal Bournemouth's Emergency Department, and some inpatients, will move to the new facilities in the BEACH Building.

Referrals

All of the above services require a recognised clinical referral and an agreed appointment date and time.

The only exceptions to this are:

  • Patients who have been referred by their GP for a chest X–ray can present to the Royal Bournemouth X–ray department (not Poole or Christchurch) between 9am – 4.30pm on weekdays (excluding bank holidays). However, we ask that patients contact us before they attend, to ensure we have received the X-ray referral.
  • Patients who have been referred by their GP to rule out a broken bone (also known as a fracture), can present to the Royal Bournemouth X–ray department, (not Christchurch or Poole) between 9am – 4.30pm on normal weekdays. However, we ask that patients contact us before they attend, to ensure we have received the X-ray referral.

For all other X-ray referrals, please make an appointment first by calling the relevent number below.

Appointment times for Christchurch Hospital are Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm, Royal Bournemouth Hospital are Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.15pm and Poole Hospital are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. These are the times for patients booking appointments only.

Please be aware that due to the unpredictable nature of a "walk–in" service, there is sometimes a short wait during busy times.

Poole Hospital x-ray:

X-ray (GP appointments): 0300 019 8606

X-ray (barium/fluoroscopy appointments): 0300 019 8002

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals x-ray:

X-Ray: 0300 019 4107

Radiology

The Department of Radiology comprises a large team of dedicated and experienced radiologists, radiographers, nurses, friendly support and administration staff.

Working together, and benefitting from state-of-the-art technology, we aim to provide our patients with the very best in diagnostic and interventional imaging services.

Radiology services

University Hospitals Dorset provide a wide range of radiology services across their three hospitals, including:

Please note, not all of the above services are available at each hospital.

As of 11 March 2025, CT and X-ray services for the Royal Bournemouth's Emergency Department, and some inpatients, will move to the new facilities in the BEACH Building.

Useful contacts at Poole Hospital:

  • Radiology reception: 0300 019 2256
  • General ultrasound appointments: 0300 019 2161
  • Obstetric ultrasound: 0300 019 2704
  • Nuclear medicine: 0300 019 2499
  • MRI scan appointments / reception: 0300 019 8506/2005
  • CT scan appointments: 0300 019 8284
  • X-ray (GP appointments): 0300 019 8606
  • X-ray (barium/fluoroscopy appointments): 0300 019 8002
  • Dorset Breast Screening: 01202 665511. Option 2
  • Private patients radiology: 0300 019 8192

Useful contacts for the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals:

  • X-ray: 0300 019 4107
  • Ultrasound: 0300 019 4512
  • CT: 0300 019 4247
  • MRI: 0300 019 4993
  • DEXA: 0300 019 4124
  • Clinical Measurement: 0300 019 4569

Referrals

All of the above services require a recognised clinical referral and an agreed appointment date and time.

The only exceptions to this are:

  • Patients who have been given a referral form by their GP for a chest X–ray 
  • Patients who have been given a referral form by their GP to rule out a broken bone (also known as a fracture)

In the above cases, patients can self present to the X-Ray department at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Please call the relevent X-ray department to obtain opening hours.

For all other X-ray referrals, please make an appointment. Please be aware that due to the unpredictable nature of a "walk–in" service, there is sometimes a short wait during busy times.

Subcategories

CT Scans

Ultrasound

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