Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast Introduces Photon-Counting CT, Becoming Ireland's First Hospital to Adopt the Technology

Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast recently introduced the Siemens Healthineers NAEOTOM Alpha.Prime photon-counting CT scanner, becoming the first hospital in Ireland to adopt this next-generation CT imaging technology. The hospital is part of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and this installation is part of a long-term value partnership between the hospital and Siemens Healthineers.

According to reports, the NAEOTOM Alpha.Prime photon-counting CT delivers ultra-high-resolution images and spectral data at lower radiation doses. Its 0.2 mm slice thickness helps clinicians visualize small blood vessels, fine anatomical structures, and early pathological changes, enabling more diagnostic information to be obtained in a single scan, thereby supporting more reliable clinical judgment and treatment decisions.

At the Royal Victoria Hospital, the technology has already begun serving multiple clinical specialties. In neurovascular and vascular imaging, clearer images facilitate the assessment and follow-up of small aneurysms, stents, and other fine structures. The improved image quality and spectral information also mean that some diagnostic questions can potentially be answered with a single CT scan, reducing the need for additional MRI examinations or interventional procedures in certain cases.

The system also supports CT-guided interventional procedures. Its integrated laser guidance system assists in needle positioning during biopsies and tumor ablations, helping clinicians optimize procedural workflows and potentially reducing procedure time. For patients, this helps minimize anesthesia duration and enhances comfort during complex procedures.

Beyond clinical applications, the introduction of photon-counting CT also provides new training and multidisciplinary collaboration opportunities for radiologists, radiographers, and medical physicists. The hospital stated that radiographers have already observed improvements in image clarity at lower dose levels, while spectral information is available with every scan without significantly adding complexity to existing examination workflows.

Daniella O'Hara, Lead CT Radiographer at the Royal Victoria Hospital, stated that the introduction of photon-counting CT has transformed how the hospital conducts imaging examinations, delivering not only higher image quality but also demonstrating tangible value in clinical workflows while creating new opportunities for team learning and development. A Siemens Healthineers CT business representative for the UK and Ireland noted that as experience with photon-counting CT applications accumulates, the technology is expected to further support early diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and the optimization of patient care pathways.