New bone scanner at Ellesmere Port Hospital brings faster diagnosis

Local patients across Ellesmere Port and Chester can now get quicker, easier access to life-changing bone scans, thanks to a new state-of-the-art scanner at Ellesmere Port Hospital.

The Ellesmere Port facility is one of just 13 hospitals across England to receive the new equipment, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change to reduce NHS waiting times. Between them, these sites will deliver an additional 29,000 scans each year.

The new DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scanner, now up and running at the hospital, means people no longer have to travel miles for vital checks that can detect osteoporosis – often called the “silent disease” – before it leads to serious fractures.

Until now, there was no local facility for these scans. Patients were referred back to their GP, then sent on to hospitals 17 or even 32 miles away [at Warrington Hospital or to an Orthopaedic Specialist Acute Trust]. For people in western Cheshire – especially those in areas where transport or travel costs are a barrier – this often meant delays or missed appointments.

Dr Nigel Scawn, Medical Director at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"This new scanner will make a real difference to people locally, particularly women over 50 who are more at risk of osteoporosis after the menopause.

“By catching bone loss earlier, we can start treatment for it sooner and so prevent serious injuries, help people stay independent for longer, and reduce avoidable hospital stays. It’s also a big step towards making care more convenient and accessible for our community.”

DEXA scans are quick (usually taking just 10–20 minutes), painless, and use only a small amount of radiation. They offer a highly accurate way to measure bone density, helping to diagnose conditions like osteoporosis early. This allows patients to start treatment sooner, avoiding complications and improving long-term outcomes.

Bringing the service into the heart of the community will also help tackle existing health inequalities, improve patient experience, and reduce pressures on referral systems.

This move supports the Trust’s Transforming Care Together 2024 strategy, which aims to make diagnostics and other key services quicker and easier to access close to home.

Pictured - Clinical staff at Ellesmere Port Hospital with the new DEXA scanner, now live and delivering bone density tests to patients across Cheshire.