Changes to PET-CT scanning service

07.01.2026

The Health Board has had to make temporary changes to its PET-CT mobile scanning service, which has been out for tender. PET-CT is a specialised imaging service operated from three sites across Wales.

The service, which normally operates from Wrexham Maelor Hospital, will be unavailable for several weeks, as contractual, commissioning and licensing issues are finalised.

We have been working with the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (JCC) and our PET-CT scanning network colleagues in Cardiff and Swansea, to mitigate disruptions to our North Wales service.

This means patients requiring a PET-CT scan will need to travel to the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, or to the Singleton Hospital, in Swansea, during this period. Additional, limited capacity has also been secured at the Christie Hospital, in Manchester, and we are working to secure further appointments in the north-west of England.

The Health Board recognises patients may be concerned about travelling and the disruption to local services, at what can already be a worrying time. Please be assured, we fully understand those concerns and our staff will be contacting and supporting people affected.

Tehmeena Ajmal, BCUHB’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Circumstances beyond our immediate control mean there is a delay in instigating a new contract for the mobile PET-CT scanning service, which visits Wrexham on a weekly basis.

“I want to apologise to those people needing a PET-CT scan for this temporary disruption. I can assure you we are working with our network partners and other organisations to reduce any shortfall in this service. So please do not worry, you will be seen.

“The process of contacting patients, with details of where and when their scans will take place is already underway.

“It is not unusual for us to work with partners in other parts of Wales and the north-west, to provide highly specialised services. I want to thank the NHS Wales JCC and our partners for their commitment to accepting our patients.”

We will keep patients and stakeholders informed during the period our service is disrupted. We will begin booking those needing a PET-CT scan into our local service as soon as this issue is resolved.

The Health Board is working to establish a state-of-the-art nuclear medicine centre within North Wales, including a static PET-CT scanner. We hope to have this operational by the end of 2027.