WORK is underway to create a £1m state-of-the-art theatre at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, in Llantrisant, for patients who need diagnostic and interventional radiology.

The theatre will allow highly-skilled radiologists to carry out cutting-edge procedures on patients using sophisticated imaging techniques, with real-time x-ray and focused CT scanning.

Expected to be completed within four months, the new facility will significantly improve the quality of imaging and therefore the treatment of patients.

The investment by Cwm Taf Health Board in the intervention room follows the completion of the new £2m MRI suite at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

Dr Phillip Wardle, clinical director of radiology at Cwm Taf Health Board, said: “The image quality will be much better allowing us to see smaller things inside the body, which will enable us to do more and increase diagnostic and therapeutic confidence.

“Better imaging quality will enable us to push the boundaries a bit more and hopefully provide faster treatment for patients.”

Radiology, which includes MRI, CT, ultrasound scanning and x-ray, is used to help diagnose and treat conditions. Interventional radiology is the use of imaging techniques to, among other procedures, insert such devices as balloons and stents to open blockages in blood vessels and administer pain relief injections.

The new intervention room will ensure procedures such as EVAR – endovascular aortic repair – for patients who have an abdominal aortic aneurism and ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography – to look at the pancreas and bile duct and remove gallstones, can be carried out using state-of-the-art equipment.

It will also be used for all musculoskeletal interventions, including pain relief injections.

Dr Wardle added: “We have been carrying out interventional radiology procedures for many years at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital but the refurbishment of this room and the investment in the new equipment will mean it is now fit for purpose.”