The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, based in northwest London, was formed in April 1994 and is made up of Hammersmith Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, Queen Charlotte's Hospital and Ravenscourt Park Hospital.

Picture (from left): Professor Philip Gishen, Dr Nicola Strickland and GE Healthcare's John Victor.

Each of the hospitals within the Trust has its own claim to fame: Hammersmith is a postgraduate teaching hospital, famous for its research achievements, Charing Cross is an undergraduate teaching hospital, Queen Charlotte's is renowned for its maternity and women's and children's services and Ravenscourt Park operates as a centre for elective orthopedic surgery.

Recently, the entire Trust went fully film less with a PACS system supplied and managed by GE Healthcare. Commenting on the advantages, the Clinical Director of Imaging at the Hammersmith Hospitals Trust, Professor Philip Gishen said, "I am an unashamed enthusiast for PACS, which I believe enables all radiology images to be available to radiologists and clinicians at all times and thereby greatly enhances patient care. All staff treating patients are able to view the patients' entire radiology images and reports resulting in real time patient care irrespective of the site at which the imaging occurred".

Consultant radiologist Dr Nicola Strickland, one of the leading authorities in PACS, agrees, "Hammersmith has been in the forefront of PACS development for many years - this move to make the whole of the Trust a virtual hospital which is independent of film and all its problems is part of our drive to maintain our lead."