A MAJOR step forward has been taken for diagnostic imaging in Somerset with the reopening of the nuclear medicine department in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, following refurbishment and the installation of a state-of-the-art SPECT/CT scanner.

Delivered by Ergéa UK in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, the redevelopment includes a purpose-built facility with dedicated patient and clinical areas.

The centrepiece of the redevelopment is the SPECT‑CT scanner, which brings together nuclear medicine SPECT (single‑photon emission computed tomography) imaging with diagnostic‑quality CT (computed tomography).

The upgrade not only broadens the range of scans available locally but also improves patient flow, reduces waiting times, and delivers a smoother, more comfortable experience for those accessing nuclear medicine services.

The new scanner combines traditional nuclear imaging with diagnostic-quality CT to produce high-resolution 3D images, capturing both anatomical structures and functional activity.

The advanced imaging, made possible by injecting a small amount of radioactive tracer which accumulates in specific tissues or organs, allows clinicians to diagnose, monitor, and guide treatment with exceptional precision.

Complex procedures, such as parathyroid and orthopaedic bone scans, can now be carried out locally, reducing travel and waiting times for patients across Somerset and the wider Westcountry.

Looking ahead, the department plans to introduce specialist scans, such as DATscan for Parkinson’s disease, and neuroendocrine tumour imaging, meaning patients will no longer need to travel to Bristol, Bath, Exeter, or Salisbury.

The reopening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the nuclear medicine team, marking a milestone in local healthcare.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust senior clinical technologist Suzie Mahon said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer this level of nuclear medicine to our patients for the first time.

“This investment future proofs the service and helps reduce waiting lists across Somerset, making care more accessible for our patients.”

“Before the redevelopment, the future of nuclear medicine in Somerset was uncertain.

“The department’s ageing gamma camera, capable only of producing basic nuclear medicine images, was becoming increasingly unreliable, limiting the quality and consistency of the service.

“Faced with this challenge, several options were considered, replacing the outdated camera like‑for‑like, closing the department entirely, or investing in a modern SPECT‑CT system that would deliver high‑quality hybrid imaging and bring the service in line with the rest of the Westcountry.

“Closing simply was not a realistic option, as it would have meant patients under the care of Musgrove would have to travel for nuclear medicine examinations.”

Ergéa UK head of implementation Gavin Brooksbank said: “Our partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust demonstrates the power of collaboration.

“We are proud to have contributed to a purpose-built facility that enhances patient care, streamlines services, and benefits the wider community.”

For patients, the redevelopment means a seamless journey from arrival to scan.

Clinicians benefit from advanced imaging which accelerates diagnosis, informs treatment decisions, and improves outcomes.

With advanced imaging capabilities and specialist scans now available, Musgrove Park Hospital is redefining nuclear medicine in Somerset, offering precision, convenience, and world-class care under one roof.