The Birmingham PET Centre provides inpatients and outpatients with PET-CT scans.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine technique that uses a radioactive injection. PET scans detect areas of radioactivity within the body, together with computed tomography (CT), to help obtain images of areas or parts of your body.
PET-CT scan location
Your PET scan will take place at the Birmingham PET Centre which is located on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) site.
The PET Centre is on the corner opposite the Centre for Clinical Haematology.
You can get to the QEHB site by public transport, car or bike:
Arrive on time for your PET-CT scan
It is important to be on time for your appointment.
The radioactive injection for your scan is ordered as a timed delivery, especially for you. So please do not be late for your appointment, as you may not be able to have your scan that day.
If you are unable to attend or are going to be delayed, please telephone us at the earliest opportunity.
Contact the PET centre
The PET Centre is open 07:00-19:30, Monday to Friday, with occasional Saturday appointments available.
What to expect during your PET-CT scan
To see what you will experience when having a PET scan, please watch the YouTube video created by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
Booking your PET-CT scan
Our admin team will contact you by telephone to book your appointment. During the call we will ask for your weight and if you:
- have had chemotherapy within the last three weeks
- have had radiotherapy or surgery within the last three months
- are pregnant, breast feeding or have young children at home
- are diabetic
- have difficulty tolerating MRI or CT scans due to claustrophobia
- have difficulty lying flat with two or less pillows
- are feeling unwell
- suffer from incontinence
- require hospital transport
Before carrying out your PET scan, it is very important that we know if you are breastfeeding or are (or think you may be) pregnant. If this is the case, please contact us before you attend for your appointment.
QSI – Quality Standard for Imaging
The Birmingham PET Centre is committed to giving patients the best possible care and experience. To reflect this, the service has been awarded ‘Working Towards the Quality Standard for Imaging’ by the Royal College of Radiologists.
This award recognises we are actively working towards and are committed to an accredited standard to improve the patient journey.
You can find out more on The Royal College or the QSI online.
Referral guidelines
Please see the downloads section if you wish to view the referral guidelines.
PET-CT patient information leaflets
Please see the downloads section to read our PET scan patient information leaflets.
For information about your data and how it is used, please see our privacy notice.
Downloads
Last reviewed: 25 April 2025