X-ray (plain film imaging)

If you are having an x-ray, you don’t usually need to do anything special to prepare (unless you are having an x-ray that uses a contrast agent – see below).

It’s a good idea to wear loose comfortable clothing and avoid wearing jewellery and clothes containing metal (such as zips) as these will need to be removed if they are over the area we are imaging.

If you are wearing clothing containing metal or anything else that may show up on the images (metallic stitching, dense buttons etc), then you will be asked to get changed into a hospital gown for your x-ray. 

A few specific x-rays will require preparation.

You will be asked to stand, sit or lay down for the x-ray, and will be guided into the necessary position so that the part of your body being examined can be positioned correctly on an imaging plate (sometimes called a cassette or detector) to obtain the views required.

Once you are in the correct position, you will need to keep still, and may be given breathing instructions if necessary, this prevents any blurring on the image. The person taking your x-ray will operate the machine from behind a screen to take the image. 

Depending on the body part being imaged, more than one image may be taken from different angles. The procedure will usually only take a few minutes. 

The x-ray itself is painless, and you won’t feel it, but sometimes, particularly if you have an injury, it may be uncomfortable getting into the correct position. The person taking your x-ray will be as gentle and careful as possible, taking any injuries into consideration when positioning you for the images. 

Everyone receives ionising radiation every day from radioactivity in the air, food we eat and the sun. Your age, size and the body part being imaged will influence the amount of medical radiation used and theoretical risks of additional exposure.

The benefit of the procedure is making the correct diagnosis or treatment plan. An x-ray will only be performed where this benefit has been assessed as outweighing the risks of radiation exposure by an appropriately trained individual. 

Our radiographers and assistant practitioners are trained to obtain the best possible imaging using the lowest amount of radiation possible and the equipment is regularly checked to ensure it is safe and effective. 

You won’t experience any after-effects from a standard X-ray and will be free to resume your normal activities straight away. 

Your x-ray images will need to be examined and the results will be sent to the doctor or healthcare professional who referred you. The radiographer performing your x-ray should advise how long this will take.

Should you need to chase the results of your x-ray, please speak with your GP or consultant who referred you. We are unable to give results to you directly. 

If you have had an x-ray study using a contrast agent, please refer to your patient information / appointment letter for more specific information. 

If your child is having an x-ray, you may find the links below particularly useful to help prepare your child and let them know what to expect.

We image children regularly in our department, and our team of radiographers are experienced in helping to ensure your child’s experience with radiology is a positive one.