System allows X-ray image sharing

Images can be viewed and discussed online

A quicker and more effective system for viewing and storing X-rays has been introduced at Musgrove Park Hospital.

Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) allow diagnostic images to be stored and transmitted digitally and viewed on computer screens.

PACS benefits both patients and the clinicians treating them by reducing waiting times for images to become available enabling faster diagnosis.

Images can also now be viewed by experts hundreds of miles away.

Dr John Bell, Consultant Radiologist at Musgrove Park, said: "We operate across five sites so one of the greatest benefits of PACS for us is that we are now able to instantly access images from all sites, regardless of where we are.

"This means for instance that we can view and discuss images taken at the Musgrove site, even when we are at Bridgwater or another community location."

Cheryl Baker, Diagnostic Imaging PACS Manager, said: "With this new system, problems such as patients having to rebook appointments because of X-rays being in another department or hospital will be a thing of the past."