Hull Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has expanded diagnostic capacity across the region with the installation of Canon Medical’s Aquilion Serve SP – the first in Yorkshire. Installed to handle a high volume of straightforward CT examinations, the scanner is central to the Trust’s strategy to free up specialist scanners at its main sites for complex imaging, ultimately helping to speed up urgent cancer pathways.
The CDC, which opened in September, is a purpose-built, city-centre facility offering CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, respiratory, phlebotomy, and cardiology services. Its central location and strong transport links make it easier for patients to attend, while its calm, non-acute environment supports smoother patient flow, booked appointment lists and shorter waiting times.
As the centre ramps up activity, the Trust anticipates scanning around 1,800 CT patients per month from early 2026. The Aquilion Serve SP was specifically chosen to support this level of throughput, thanks to its modern, intuitive INSTINX workflow platform, designed to reduce operator workload with fewer clicks and faster exam setup. Its AI-enabled 3D Landmark Scan automates planning by identifying anatomical landmarks to determine accurate start and stop positions, ensuring consistent coverage across operators. Additional features, including SilverBeam dose-saving technology and Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE) deep-learning reconstruction, deliver excellent image quality at low dose.
Andrew Stephens, CT Speciality Manager, commented, “This scanner is exactly what we needed to increase capacity and keep our cancer pathways moving. By moving routine CT work into the CDC, we can free up our scanners at our main sites for more complex examinations such as cardiac CT and CT colonography. The Aquilion Serve SP is fast, intuitive and incredibly user-friendly – the team adapted almost immediately thanks to the INSTINX platform and automated planning tools. Its accuracy, consistency and image quality mean we can scan more patients, more efficiently, and with full confidence.”
Andrew added that patients are already benefiting from the dedicated CDC environment. “Patients really appreciate the relaxed atmosphere. The service runs smoothly because we’re not trying to add emergency or inpatient examinations to an already fully booked list. Everyone arrives for a booked slot and is seen quickly,” he said.
The installation also continues a long-standing partnership between Canon Medical and NHS Humber Health Partnership. The Group already operates an Aquilion ONE/ GENESIS Edition and an Aquilion Prime SP at Castle Hill Hospital, along with two mobile Aquilion Prime SP units across the Humber and North Yorkshire network.
Canon Medical supported the Trust throughout the build and installation phase with a highly flexible and collaborative approach, adjusting engineering schedules around construction and ensuring the systems were delivered at the right stages of the project. To guarantee staff were fully prepared ahead of go-live, Canon provided an enhanced four-week applications training programme across both scanners, delivered by specialist CT applications experts. This extended programme allowed the team to transition smoothly and confidently from older platforms, ensuring the CDC was ready to operate efficiently from day one.
