Medical Physics is the discipline concerned with the application of Engineering and Physics to
the diagnosis and treatment of patients and as such underpins much of the practice of modern medicine. Almost
all of the equipment used by clinicians in today’s hospitals from the most sophisticated magnetic resonance
imagers to the less complex, but nevertheless vital, infusion controllers was designed and put into clinical
practice by Medical Physicists and Clinical Engineers.
At its main site of Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital the department has a number of sections
as described below. The scientists and technologists are constantly seeking ways to assist both the patients
themselves and the physicians who are charged with their care to improve the lives of those unfortunate enough
to be in need of their help.
The following notes are intended to be a simplified guide to the services offered along with
specific contacts for individual services. If you would like more complete and/or technical information on an
individual test, then please contact either myself or the head of the section concerned. Our aim is to provide
high quality, patient focussed services within the financial constraints of the NHS, but if any of our
patients feel that we have fallen short of these ideals then please let the head of the section concerned know
and we will do our utmost to rectify the situation if at all possible.
The majority of our services are available on open access for all qualified medical
practitioners. Private referrals are accepted if desired.
Please note that the majority of tests carried out in Medical Physics are reported on by
experienced Scientists and Technologists based on many years of experience and backed up by a process of
Continual Professional Development (CPD) in their field. The decision to treat however, along with the
clinical responsibility, remains with the referring Medical Practitioner.
