Easy Read

This booklet uses easy words and pictures to tell you what will happen when you go for an CT scan.

You might want to ask someone to help you read it.

A CT scan

Your doctor needs you to have a CT scan

Look inside your body

A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of your body.

Reception

When you arrive at the Radiology department, the receptionist will ask you for your name.

Waiting area

You will be asked to sit in the waiting area until someone is ready to see you.

The waiting room may be busy.

Wearing a gown

You may be asked to put on a hospital gown.

Changing room

You will be taken to a changing room.

Get changed

If you need help getting changed, please ask.

Take jewellery off

You will need to take off your jewellery.

Radiographer

The x-ray staff are called Radiographers.  

The radiographer will take you into the room for your scan.

The CT scanner

The scanner looks like a big donut with a hole in it. It has a special bed for you to lie on.  It is a bit like going through a tunnel.

Does it hurt?

Having a CT scan does not hurt.

An injection

Sometimes people have an injection of a liquid called contrast.  

This goes into your veins through the needle.

Lay still

You need to lay still during the scan.

How long does it take?

The scan usually lasts between 2 and 15 minutes.

Tell someone

You will be on your own in the scanning room for short periods.  

Please tell staff if you need someone with you at all times.

Bed moves

The bed will move and you will pass through the scanner.

You can talk

You will be able to talk to the staff all the time.

Wait 15 minutes

Once the scan is finished you have to wait 15 minutes.

Get changed

Once the CT is finished you will go back to the changing room where you can change back into your own clothes.

Please ask if you need any help.

Put jewellery on

You can put your jewellery back on.

Go home

You can now go home. 

Your results

You will be asked to come back to the hospital, or go to your GP surgery, for the results.

Contact details

Queries about appointments call the booking office 01274 365499.

Some of the images in this information resource have been taken from the ‘easy on the i’ image bank. Copyright ©LYPFFT. The remaining images were created by Medical Illustration ©BTHFT.