Nuclear medicine is a safe, painless way of taking pictures inside the body using radioactive material. These images can be used to find problems in the early stages of a disease. It’s essential that patients are as comfortable as possible when the injection takes place.
"We wouldn’t have been able to get the chair if it wasn’t for this extra support. It’s made a massive difference for the people who give the injections and for the patients who come through here. You feel like you’re in a safer environment now because we’ve got this.”
Lindsey Devlin, specialist nurse in nuclear medicine.
Patients having injections can only be exposed to low amounts of radiation. So if the vein was missed on the first attempt, they’d have to go away and wait before trying again – something that used to happen all too often with an old-fashioned static chair.
The new model allows a patient to recline, which is useful given that many people feel faint when it comes to injections. And its adjustable arms mean patients are more comfortable and the procedure is easier for staff.
“If a patient’s uncomfortable they’re more likely to move when we’re trying to put the needle in. For staff it’s much better now because even the slightest movement can put you off. We’re not so worried by that now that there’s that added comfort for the patient.”
Lindsey Devlin