A new facility to care for patients undergoing interventional radiology (IR) procedures has opened at St George's Hospital.

The new unit will opened to patients on Monday (17 May) and has provided the hospital with a dedicated space for day-case and inpatients before and after their IR procedures.

Interventional radiology involves radiologists using minimally invasive imaging procedures to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases.

The facility has six separate bays, and will improve care for the thousands of patients who undergo interventional radiology procedures at the Trust every year.

The interventional radiology team at St Georges carries out a full range of IR procedures – including planned procedures, liver biopsies and dialysis interventions.

They also carry out emergency procedures, such as stopping bleeding from the gut or unblocking obstructed bile ducts or kidneys.

Dr Robert Morgan, Clinical Director for Diagnostics, said:

"This is a really great addition to our facilities in the interventional radiology department.

"The facility will be able to accommodate as many as six patients at any one time – and it provides a much better environment for patients about to undergo a procedure, and more importantly, a modern, state-of-the-art facility in which they can recover.

"This is an exciting development for both staff and patients."