A new bone density or DEXA scanner, which uses X-rays to assess the risk of thin bones and diagnose osteoporosis, is due to be installed at Newark Hospital.
This follows Sherwood Forest Hospitals being awarded funding in excess of £240,000 from NHS England.
The number of new referrals to the DEXA service has increased, with an average of 100 per week being received, reflecting our ageing population. Between April 2023 and November 2024, Sherwood Forest Hospitals received a total of 7,910 referrals for DEXA scans, and this figure is increasing by approximately 8% year on year.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals covers a large geographical area, with many patients from as far afield as Lincolnshire and Leicestershire choosing it as their preferred healthcare provider. The Royal Osteoporosis Society (January 2024) recommended that there should be one DEXA scanner per 100,000 population. Sherwood Forest Hospitals serves a population of over 350,000, and prior to the successful funding bid, had only one scanner located at the Mansfield Community Hospital site.
The new scanner at Newark Hospital, which is expected to be operational by September 2025, will significantly enhance the service provided to patients. It will allow patients to receive their diagnostic scans at a location closer to home, reducing the need for travel and associated costs. Currently, all patients, many of whom have limited mobility, must travel to Mansfield Community Hospital. From September 2025, patients will be able to receive their appointments at either Newark or Mansfield, depending on which is more convenient for them.
Dr Simon Roe, Chief Medical Officer at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said:
“This project reinforces our commitment to delivering outstanding healthcare for our patients and communities and helps us to continue improving local health and care services. Osteoporosis affects over two million adults in the UK.
“This new scanner will increase our capacity, allowing for an additional 360 scans per month. This will help reduce the time patients have to wait to access their diagnostic tests, increasing the speed and efficiency of the care we provide.”
