Service Redesign in Nuclear Medicine

Developing new services in Nuclear Medicine requires careful planning and the advent of hybrid imaging technology has begun to open new avenues for nuclear medicine practitioners.

It is crucial that the nuclear medicine workforce continues to engage and work with other professions, such as cardiology, oncology and neurology to further promote the clinical value of nuclear medicine and further develop a multiprofessional approach to the whole imaging / treatment landscape.

Trying to convince financial managers to invest in a hybrid imaging system, whether it is to replace your aging gamma camera or as an additional system can be very difficult. Some centres have used the argument that the hybrid system could be used to support radiology workload (e.g. CT heads) and even conduct examinations involving the use of contrast agents. Phrases such as "one stop shop" imaging have begun to emerge where nuclear medicine departments attempt to increase their profile and workload and even perhaps justifying their new imaging system.

Having a hybrid imaging system does provide improved confidence / accuracy for clinicians and new opportunities for the nuclear medicine workforce. However, careful consideration is required to ensure the service redesign places Nuclear Medicine at the heart of the clinical provision.