Mount Vernon Cancer Centre has officially opened its new SPECT/CT scanner.

Funded by East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, NHS England and East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity which supports the centre, the scanner will help the team treat over 5,000 patients each year.

A SPECT/CT scan is made up of two separate components - a SPECT scan and a CT scan. The images from each scan are fused together to provide more precise information about how different parts of the body are working and can help spot any problems more clearly.

The official opening was attended by Dr Wai-Lup Wong, nuclear medicine consultant radiologist, Sarah James, director of the hospital, Sue Douglas head of nuclear medicine, Jagdeep Kudhail, head of radiation services and Bob Niven, chair of East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity.

Dr Wong said: “This SPECT/CT scanner will make a tremendous difference to people who come to the centre for treatment. It will enable us to precisely locate hotspots and areas of concern. Having a more accurate diagnosis will help us deliver more personalised and precise treatment which will reduce side effects and improve quality of life.

“The SPECT/CT will mean fewer visits to hospital before treatment begins because it gives us much more information. It will also help us conduct research into various cancers so we can improve treatment.

“I’d like to thank all those people who have fundraised for the charity so we can provide the SPECT/CT. It will make such a difference to our patients.”

To support projects at Mount Vernon Cancer centre, visit: enhhcharity.org.uk/mvcc.