A Nuclear Medicine Pathway
NHS Lothian provides outpatient Nuclear Medicine services at Western General Hospital, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
SCI Gateway can be used to submit referrals for Bone Scintigraphy Scans at Western General Hospital only; all other Nuclear Medicine investigations must be referred for by a secondary care consultant.
Bone scans can be referred for patients who have suspected bony metastatic disease with a history of malignancy or unexplained bone pain when plain x-rays have not been helpful.
If referrers are uncertain whether a bone scan is an appropriate investigation to order, then they can contact the Nuclear Medicine department at WGH on 0131 537 2040 to discuss.
Please note that referral for a DEXA bone scan is via a different pathway:
WGH > Medical Physics > DEXA Scan. Please see RefHelp page on DEXA scanning for guidance.
UPDATED DS, SG, JB DEC 2025
Who To Refer:
- Suspected bony metastatic disease in a patient with a history of malignancy
- Unexplained bone pain when plain x-rays have not been helpful
Important note: Medical exposures using ionising radiation are subject to legislative control by The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017. This legislation specifies the responsibilities of the Referrer of which Referrers must be aware.
For all Radiology requests: Referrers accept responsibility for dealing with the result(s) and informing the patient as necessary.
Who Not to Refer:
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
- If patient is > 225 Kg (35 stones)
How To Refer:
Using SCI Gateway: WGH > Clinical Radiology > Nuclear Medicine Bone Scan
Information required for the SCI Gateway referral:
Could the patient be pregnant or breastfeeding?
Please provide relevant clinical details (to justify radiation exposure to the practitioner). Please Include any recent trauma e.g., falls, fractures and please include any previous history of malignancy (free text).
Does the patient need to be in close contact with small children (free text)?
Does the patient have any of the following: HEP C / VRE / MRSA?
