Spire Harpenden Hospital has unveiled a state-of-the-art Hologic Mammography Scanner in their newly renovated Mammography Suite.

The cutting-edge scanner combines tomosynthesis, allowing for three-dimensional mammograms taken by X-Rays that are then assembled into a 3D volume.

This innovation will ensure swifter and more comfortable mammography experience for patients.

During 2023, the hospital completed 2,350 mammography scans and anticipates a rise to approximately 2,800 scans for the year 2024.

The upgraded scanner will provide added capacity to support their 0ne-stop breast clinic, which offers rapid diagnosis and assessment of changes.

The clinic, run by fully accredited consultant breast surgeons along with expert radiologists and pathologists, is available to everyone whether or not they have a GP referral.

The one-stop clinic offers consultations with a consultant breast surgeon, same-day mammogram and ultrasound investigations, and post-test discussion of results with the consultant.

Micky Cannon, diagnostic imaging manager at Spire Harpenden Hospital, said: "At Spire Harpenden Hospital, we are committed to ensuring our patients have fast access to diagnosis and outstanding personalised treatment when they need it.

"Investing in a new state-of-the-art mammography scanner with biopsy and excision console, enables us to deliver multiple samples with a single insertion and local anaesthetic without interruption."

Mr Cannon also spoke about patient comfort, he added: "We know that coming in for a mammogram can be extremely worrying.

"Most individuals will feel some discomfort during the actual process.

"The new equipment provides a more comfortable experience for our patients.

"Knowing they can be seen quickly, be scanned by the latest technology available, and then receive a quick diagnosis – this is what our patients need and we’re pleased to be delivering that."

Spire Healthcare, overseeing Spire Harpenden Hospital, is a major independent healthcare group in the UK, operating 39 hospitals and more than 30 clinics, medical centres and consulting rooms across England, Wales and Scotland.

Working together with over 8,700 experienced consultants, Spire Healthcare provided personalised care for approximately 926,500 in-patients, out-patients and day-case patients in 2022, making it the leading private provider, by volume, of knee and hip operations in the UK.