If your GP has referred you to our hospital’s radiology department for an imaging procedure or scan, you might have questions about how we manage pain and keep you relaxed.
While your GP practice looks after your general health, our specialised hospital radiology team will be performing your procedure and keeping you safe and comfortable throughout. This guide is based on standard NHS safety guidelines used across our departments.
Will my procedure be painful?
The clinical team’s main priority is to keep you comfortable. Because you will be awake during your time in the radiology suite, will use a combination of modern pain relief and relaxing medicines to minimise any discomfort or worry.
What happens when I arrive at the radiology department?
Before they begin your scan or treatment, a member of the radiology team will sit down with you to create a personalised comfort plan. They will:
- Discuss exactly what to expect during the procedure and answer any questions you have.
- Ask for your formal consent to proceed.
- Give you clear instructions on what you need to do after your procedure is over.
How will the radiology team look after me during the treatment?
A dedicated member of the clinical staff will stay right by your side in the scanner or treatment room the entire time. To keep you completely safe while you are resting, they will constantly check:
- Your heart rate and rhythm (ECG)
- Your breathing and oxygen levels
- Your blood pressure and overall comfort level
What kind of medication will the radiology department give me?
Every patient is different, so the team tailors the medication exactly to your needs:
- Pain Relief: They administer pain relief first to make sure you are comfortable. It is given in small, carefully timed doses.
- Sedation: They use a relaxing medicine (typically a sedative called Midazolam) given through a small tube in your vein. This will make you feel peaceful and sleepy, but you will still be awake enough to talk to our radiology team if you need to.
Sharing your feedback with us
The radiology department are always looking for ways to improve hospital care. After your procedure, the radiology staff may hand you a short questionnaire to take home with a stamped, addressed envelope. Please fill it out and post it back to them so they know how your experience went.
Source Document: Sedation and pain management in interventional radiology (Clinical Audit Tool). Based on Guidelines from: The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) Guidelines on Safe sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia within the radiology department.