University of Sheffield supports only second scanner of its kind in the UK for Sheffield Children’s Hospital

The University of Sheffield has helped fund a life-changing EOS scanner to help young patients at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, only the second of its kind for children in the UK.

A photograph of a nurse walking with a child down a hospital corridor.

Based on a Nobel prize-winning invention, EOS provides an ultra-low dose 2D and 3D digital X-ray system and will hugely improve the diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic patients. Patients can sit or stand, with a complete head-to-toe image provided in 15 seconds or less.

The machine also ensures an 80% reduction in X-ray exposure, reduced waiting times and improved image quality enabling more accurate assessments and surgical planning. It will enhance the already world-leading spinal service at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, which became the first hospital in Europe last year to perform ground-breaking ‘trolley’ surgery to correct a spine curvature.

The machine was made possible thanks to a donation from the Morrisons Foundation, a charity set up by the supermarket, and large donations from The University of Sheffield and David and Jean Fyfe’s 2018 Daffodil Ball in aid of The Children’s Hospital Charity.

Dr Enrico Dall’Ara from the Department of Oncology and Metabolism at the University of Sheffield said: "The EOS system will allow collaborative research between the University and the hospital to improve the diagnosis and treatments of musculoskeletal diseases in children and adults, building on expertise developed within the Insigneo institute for in silico medicine."


The EOS system will allow collaborative research between the University and the hospital to improve the diagnosis and treatments of musculoskeletal diseases in children and adults, building on expertise developed within the Insigneo institute for in silico medicine.

We look forward to using the EOS system to push the boundaries of musculoskeletal research in Sheffield and internationally.

Dr Enrico Dall’Ara

University of Sheffield | Department of Oncology and Metabolism


The new equipment will particularly aid those patients requiring limb and spine curvature examinations, who will now be able to get a much clearer X-ray. The reduction in radiation exposure will also help those requiring regular scans, such as scoliosis spine patients.


We are incredibly grateful to the people who support our work here at Sheffield Children's. Our staff are amazing, providing specialist care with compassion every day. But with the latest equipment and donor-funded facilities, we can go even further to help children both locally and nationally.

John Somers

Chief Executive of Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust


To find out more about the difference the EOS scanner will make to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, visit www.tchc.org.uk

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