“With the introduction of PCCT technology, it is possible to achieve higher quality images at the same, or in some cases lower, radiation doses than conventional CT scanners. Ultra high resolution imaging will enable improved assessment of heavily calcified coronary disease, coronary stents and other implanted devices – which will be significant for our patients, many of whom who have complex heart conditions.”
Professor Ed Nicol, Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Brompton Hospital and Professor of Cardiovascular Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences
19 May 2026
New Photon Counting CT Scanner to enhance patient care and unlock cardio-respiratory research at Royal Brompton Hospital
King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust have together used a £2.3 million NIHR capital award to install a new Siemens Healthineers NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak Photon Counting CT scanner at the Royal Brompton Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – building on the specialist hospital’s world-class imaging services. As well as enhancing patient care, the scanner will enable a new phase of ground-breaking cardiac and respiratory research between the university and hospital.
Embodying the next generation of CT imaging, Photon Counting CT technology (PCCT) can capture multi energy datasets, produce sharper images at higher resolution and support spectral analysis to enhance image contrast. This results in superior clinical image quality and enhances diagnostic capability.
Patients who would have previously needed additional tests after a conventional CT scan, can obtain sufficient information from a single scan using PCCT technology. The higher image resolution reduces indeterminate results by enabling clinicians to interpret scan images more easily – and this can reduce the need for further investigations and repeat hospital visits.
“Bringing photon counting CT to the Royal Brompton Hospital marks an important moment in a collaboration that spans decades. It is especially exciting to see this experience come together with the clinical and academic strength of King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’. By uniting two outstanding partners with a shared focus on innovation, we can accelerate how photon counting CT supports people living with complex heart and lung disease – translating research into meaningful benefits for patients, faster.”
Carl Smith, Business Area Lead for CT, Siemens Healthineers Great Britain & Ireland
The new scanner brings together leading clinicians, researchers and scientists from the NIHR Clinical Research Facility, the HealthTech Research Centre in cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, King’s College London’s School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust who together, will deliver ground-breaking cardiac and respiratory research with faster translation to support optimal patient care.
An expert in Photon Counting CT, Dr Jonathan Weir-McCall, King’s College London senior lecturer and consultant in cardiac radiology and, consultant radiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, will lead on the scanner’s collaborative research programme. “Research is at the heart of the scanner’s mission, with dedicated time for research imaging allowing the team to explore the full potential of Photon Counting CT for diagnosing and monitoring disease,” Dr Weir-McCall said.
The new scanner was delivered in March and has now launched with its first patients.
We’re delighted to be starting this new phase of operations, based at the Royal Brompton Hospital. The new scanner and its enhanced capabilities are an important addition to our NIHR Clinical Research Facility and Medtech Hub, opening up new opportunities for patients and research teams.”
Dr Sharon Giles, Director of Clinical & Research Imaging Operations, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, and Associate Director of the Guy’s & St Thomas’ NIHR Clinical Research Facility
By combining advanced imaging technology with world leading research expertise, the project will improve diagnostic accuracy, optimise patient experience and support innovations that have the potential to shape the future of care for heart and lung patients in the UK and beyond.
“Building our capacity in photon counting CT is a major boost to both our clinical and research profiles. This new technology allows us to advance an ambitious programme of research through the Royal Brompton Hospital and, crucially, deliver the very latest in CT scanning services for patients living with serious cardiorespiratory conditions.”
Professor Sebastien Ourselin FREng FMedSci, Head of School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences