At Ergéa, we are proud to support the transformation of diagnostic imaging services across the UK. The nuclear medicine department at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has reopened following a major refurbishment. The upgrade introduces a state-of-the-art GE Discovery SPECT/CT system through Ergéa’s long-term Managed Equipment Service (MES) partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, enhancing local patient care and diagnostic precision.
The upgraded department marks a major step forward for nuclear medicine diagnostics in Somerset, ensuring patients have access to advanced imaging technology closer to home.
To illustrate the impact of the refurbishment, a video has been produced showing a patient’s journey through the new nuclear medicine department. The footage highlights the improved facilities, advanced imaging technology and the clinical teams delivering the service, offering insight into how the upgrade is already benefiting patients at Musgrove Park Hospital.
The new hybrid scanner combines SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging with diagnostic-quality CT, producing highly detailed 3D images that reveal both anatomical structures and functional activity. These enhanced images allow clinicians to diagnose, monitor, and guide treatment with unprecedented precision.
Before the upgrade, the department’s ageing gamma camera was increasingly unreliable, limiting the quality and consistency of local services. Closure would have forced patients to travel to Bristol, Bath, Exeter, or Salisbury. By investing in SPECT/CT through the MES, the Trust secured a future-ready service that keeps advanced nuclear medicine accessible close to home, increases scanning capacity, and reduces waiting times.
The clinical benefits are already evident. Parathyroid scans now provide precise gland localisation, enabling less invasive surgery, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. Orthopaedic bone scans are more detailed, allowing better assessment of metalwork and persistent pain – previously only possible at distant hospitals.
The refurbishment also improved patient experience, with dedicated injection rooms, laboratories, and waiting areas streamlining workflow and comfort. While the department remains a single-camera unit, it now offers a broader range of scans and plans to expand into specialist tests like DATscan for Parkinson’s disease and neuroendocrine tumour imaging.
To celebrate the milestone, the department held an official opening ceremony in February, where staff and partners gathered to mark the enhanced capabilities and the contribution of the team. It was a chance to recognise the dedication of the clinical staff and showcase the advanced imaging technology now available to patients across Somerset.
“This investment not only futureproofs the service, but also supports efforts to reduce waiting lists across Somerset. We would also like to thank our long term partners, Ergéa, for funding this project and for its continued support.”
Suzie Mahon, Senior Clinical Technologist, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
“Our long-standing partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust demonstrates the power of collaboration. We are proud to have contributed to the upgrade of the Nuclear Medicine department, creating a purpose-built facility that enhances patient care, streamlines services, and delivers lasting benefits to the wider community.”
Gavin Brooksbank, Head of Implementation at Ergéa UK
The project forms part of Ergéa’s wider work supporting NHS organisations across the UK through long-term equipment partnerships designed to modernise diagnostic services and expand patient access to advanced imaging.