1 April 2026

PET L to R Ajay Movva, Alaina Grant, Christopher Fitzpatrick, Zunaira Rasheed and Becca Swaine are part of the team who helped prepare the new PET-CT scanner at CCC-W.jpg
The PET-CT ​​​team with the new CCC scanner. From left, Ajay Movva, Alaina Grant,
Christopher Fitzpatrick, Zunaira Rasheed and Becca Swaine

A new, state‑of‑the‑art PET‑CT scanner has launched at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s Wirral site and has now begun scanning patients from across the region.

PET‑CT scanning provides highly detailed 3D images from inside the body. It combines positron emission tomography (PET), which uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to highlight areas of increased cellular activity, with computed tomography (CT), which uses X‑rays to create detailed cross‑sectional images.

The scanner is the UK’s first Siemens Healthineers Biograph Trinion PET‑CT machine, featuring the very latest imaging technology. Preparatory work began in December 2025, with the first patients scanned this week.

The new machine replaces an older PET‑CT scanner installed at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Wirral in 2015. PET‑CT scanning is a highly specialised service, with only a small number of scanners in each region. As a result, both the Wirral and Liverpool scanners at Clatterbridge are used by patients from many hospitals, not just those receiving treatment at the Trust.

Compared with the previous machine, the new Biograph Trinion scanner will:

  • deliver significantly improved image quality and a better patient experience
  • reduce average scan times from around 25 minutes to approximately seven minutes
  • increase PET‑CT capacity at the Wirral site, allowing many more patients to benefit.

Sam Altham, Lead Radiology Manager, said: “The team have been outstanding throughout this project and worked incredibly hard to minimise disruption, often in very challenging circumstances. Despite having only one operational PET‑CT scanner during this time, patients continued to be seen as normal at our Liverpool site. This was achieved through optimised workflows, different working hours and excellent coordination.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved for their dedication and skill. Thanks to their efforts, this fantastic new machine has been installed on time, and our services have continued throughout.”

Diana Almeida, Clinical Lead for PET‑CT at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said: “The new Biograph Trinion PET‑CT scanner will further enhance our imaging capabilities, providing even more accurate and detailed images.

“Demand for PET‑CT scanning has increased significantly in recent years, so we’re delighted that the new scanner will dramatically reduce scan times. This will allow many more patients to be scanned each day while also greatly improving the patient experience.”

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