We provide a full range of diagnostic services for inpatients, outpatients (who attend an outpatient clinic appointment), GP patients (who are managed directly by their GP) and other healthcare providers.
Diagnostics are used to investigate a wide range of illnesses and conditions. Some tests can be completed the same day you attend hospital, others may require you to attend a booked appointment at a later date at a specific unit.
We are required to complete diagnostic tests within six-weeks of referral (or sooner if considered more urgent or on a specific pathway). Your test will be carried out by an appropriately trained person, which may be a doctor, radiographer, nurse or technician/physiologist. Once your results are ready, they will be sent electronically to the clinician who originally requested the test.
Some examples of diagnostic services are:
This is a non-surgical puncture of a vein, normally in the arm, to withdraw a small amount of blood, which is then sent to the laboratory for testing. It should be a quick, pain-free experience, but if you are nervous, do talk to your phlebotomist who will take plenty of time to talk through the procedure and what to expect.
The Imaging service consists of a number of services – MRI, CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, Dexa, X-ray, fluoroscopy and mammography.
GP patients who need an X-ray– can attend the department with their form Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. No appointment is needed.
All other services are provided as booked appointments.
Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they’re too small to see or feel. While a mammogram can sometimes be uncomfortable, it should not cause any pain.
The national breast screening programme calls women for mammography between the ages of 50 and 71 every three years. Women will receive an invitation to attend screening as long as they are registered with a GP.
Often referred to as the ‘Path Lab’, the team are responsible for processing, analysing and reporting on tissue, cell and bodily fluid samples (such as blood, semen, urine or fecal).
The lab process samples for Medway Maritime Hospital, Darent Valley Hospital, all GP’s across Dartford, Gravesham, Medway and Swale and a number of other providers. Sometimes your sample will need to be sent to another laboratory in Maidstone, Leeds or London, if we are testing for specific. The lab will send the results to the referring clinician electronically. They will then use this information to determine what disease, illness or condition you may have or how your existing condition has progressed.
A range of non-invasive cardiac diagnostic tests are undertaken by cardiac physiologists. These tests are used to diagnose and monitor a range of different heart conditions. Tests include ECG, Holter monitoring (ambulatory ECG), Echocardiograms, Exercise ECG and tilt table tests. The department also perform follow-up tests for patients with implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers and ICDs.
The Imaging Service, and other teams across the hospital, may be asked to undertake a biopsy or fine needle aspiration (FNA) as part of your diagnostic tests, in order to determine what may be causing your symptoms. You will have been referred for a biopsy, if your GP would like to examine a mass (tumour), growth or other abnormality, such as a change in an area of your skin.
During an FNA, a hollow needle is inserted into the area for sampling of cells that, once stained, will be examined under a microscope in the Pathology Laboratory. You will be given a local anaesthetic and should feel no pain during the procedure. Your results will be sent to the referring clinician.
During a biopsy, the clinician undertaking the procedure will take a sample of cells / tissue. A biopsy can be done in a number of different ways. Clinicians will use a form of imaging to guide them during the procedure, so will often attend for a CT, ultrasound or MRI, or possibly an endoscopy or colonoscopy. Most biopsy procedures only require local anaesthetic. You should feel no pain during the procedure and you will normally be able to go after the procedure.
Audiology tests help with the diagnosis and management of patients with hearing and balance disorders. This includes tinnitus, auditory processing disorders and the provision of specialist hearing aids, such as bone anchored hearing aids.
A hearing test can be completed in your local high street at a specially trained and designed facility. However, if you have symptoms that are continuing to cause you problems, or you have been diagnosed with some hearing loss, you may be asked to visit our Audiology Team who will undertake further tests to diagnose the cause and identify the best treatment/care option. The team can also help diagnose problems with your balance and coordination.
The Endoscopy Unit undertakes a variety of tests that involve putting a camera, called an endoscope, inside your body, to look at the bowel, or oesophagus.. The camera allows the doctor to be able to view internal structures and possible changes, take a video and or pictures to refer to and complete a biopsy sample if necessary. The test is completed in a special unit, and you will have a period of recovery following the procedure
Ahead of your procedure, you may have to make changes to what you eat and when, or you may be prescribed a medication to take. While any form of procedure involving an endoscope is not 100per cent pain free, every effort will be made to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.
Plan your journey
Information for visitors
Your guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments
