Royal Victoria Hospital, part of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland, has become the first hospital in Ireland to introduce the NAEOTOM Alpha.Prime photon-counting CT scanner from Siemens Healthineers. Installed through the hospital’s 20-year Value Partnership with the company, Siemens Healthineers says the scanner delivers ultra-high resolution images at a low dose, which helps clinicians to detect and assess disease with greater confidence.
Siemens Healthineers says the NAEOTOM Alpha.Prime features a unique 0.2mm slice thickness, that enables clinicians to visualise small vessels, subtle anatomical structures and early disease changes with “exceptional clarity.” The company says this provides more diagnostic information from a single examination, reducing the need for additional MRI scans or invasive procedures.
The technology is also helping to advance CT-guided interventional procedures. An integrated laser guidance system supports needle placement during biopsies and tumour ablations, which can reduce procedure times. For patients, this can mean less time under general anaesthetic and greater comfort during complex procedures.
“Introducing photon-counting CT has changed the way we approach imaging,” said Daniella O’Hare, Lead CT Radiographer at Royal Victoria Hospital. “Beyond the exceptional image quality, we’re seeing tangible benefits across our clinical pathways. Just as importantly, it has energised our teams with a strong sense of pride, creating new opportunities for learning and development while ensuring our patients benefit from some of the most advanced imaging technology available.”
Carl Smith, Business Area Lead for CT at Siemens Healthineers Great Britain and Ireland said: “Royal Victoria Hospital is demonstrating how next-generation CT imaging can deliver real benefits in everyday clinical practice. As experience with photon-counting CT continues to grow, we’re seeing increasing opportunities to support earlier diagnosis, more confident clinical decision-making and improved patient pathways. It’s exciting to see patients across Northern Ireland among the first to benefit from this technology.”
