Author: brownda

Radiology has introduced Facebook and twitter social networking sites to support and supplement the directorates website project. This is to promote and market radiology services more widely in light of GP commissioning and patient choice.

You can now keep up to date with radiology news on Facebook and twitter directly or via the links in the website.

Through the website and social networking sites, a wider range of audiences will be able to keep up to date with the latest radiology news and information.

The directorates website project has been recognised not only by the professional body, the Society and College of Radiographers, but NHS Innovation & Improvement body also.

The project is supported by the directorates communication strategy which strives for excellence in communication and customer care.

Norma Lloyd (CT Advanced Practitioner) attended the inaugural meeting of the National CT Head Reporting Radiographers Special Interest Group took place at Birmingham City University on 4th June.

The group was developed to provide a forum for CT head reporting radiographers to get together and share their experiences, hopefully providing opportunities to assist and support individuals whilst striving to develop and enhance relevant professional practice.

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radmagazine features the Radiology Directorate’s Website in May’s edition. radmagazine is a monthly magazine for medical imaging and radiotherapy professionals featuring news, scientific articles, situations vacant, book reviews, and lists international events.

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The breast imaging service at Good Hope Hospital has added another string to its bow with the launch of its new mammography suite.

The suite, boasting state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment, is dedicated to imaging women quickly, easily and accurately in the detection of breast cancer and all other breast problems. Patients range from those needing a routine family history screen, to those who are symptomatic and require a rapid investigation and diagnosis.

Clinical Director for radiology, Dr Lowri Morus, said:

“The mammography suite is a significant investment and provides a real boost for breast cancer imaging here at Good Hope. Mammograms are an extremely valuable cancer detection aid and are key to helping reduce the number of deaths from the disease. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Breast Friends Sutton Coldfield for all their continued support.”

Jackie Benzecry, chairman of Breast Friends, a breast cancer support charity in Sutton Coldfield, said:

“The new suite is very comfortable and welcoming for patients and we know local women will really benefit. The Breast Friends Charity will continue to support this invaluable breast screening service at our local hospital.”

The Society of Radiographers features the Radiology Directorate’s Website in May’s edition of Synergy News. Synergy News (SN) is a monthly news digest of what is happening in radiography and the wider healthcare arena. The editorial team strives to cover all the hot topics, including role development and career progression, pay and conditions, research, CPD and health and safety and equality issues. Synergy News also contains recruitment adverts, giving radiographers the best possible choice of job opportunities.

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Over the coming weeks the Innovation and Improvement team will be discussing this project further with the aim of turning the project into a ‘case study’. We hope to link this ‘case study’ with the Quality & Productivity Agenda leading to publication in the AHP Bulletin published by the DoH.

For the Institute to feature this project – highlights that the Directorate is embracing change and being adaptable, flexible and open to new ways of working with our colleagues. This enables the service to meet the demands of delivering healthcare increasing quality and efficiency with limited resources whilst maintaining patient centred care and information.

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Tom Johnson (Senior Radiographer) will be taking on the challenge of running the Virgin London Marathon on 17th April 2011 in memory of Simon Parker who we sadly lost to Lymphoma on 2nd November 2010.

It is Tom’s aim to raise over £2500 with the proceeds raised being donated to the Oncology Unit, Ward 19 at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital.

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Solihull Hospital radiographers swapped x-rays for running shoes this week to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The ladies, re-named the ‘X-Racers’, took part in the Race for Life event at Bruton Park, and raised an impressive £400 for the charity.

Karen Sanford, lead mammographer at the Hospital, said:

“It was pretty hard work to complete the full 5 kilometres in very hot weather, but we kept thinking about the cause and the patients and relatives we know who are affected by these diseases, and that kept us going.

So many of us know incredibly brave patients and relatives, and what they have to go through. We are honoured to support them in whatever way we can.”

Heartlands Hospital is celebrating the arrival of a new scanner, the first of its kind in the region and only the second to be installed in the NHS. The new CT scanner, known as a Toshiba Aquilion One 320 Slice, has the ability to scan an entire body part in one rotation and in less than a second. This is a fraction of the time compared to previously available CT scanners, resulting in the patient’s investigation being completed more quickly, and radiologists able to access the scan results within seconds for a faster diagnosis.

The CT scanner also offers the lowest radiation dose available to patients, along with providing a very high scan quality. For use in examining all the major body parts and imaging whole organs in real time, it is expected to revolutionise the means of treating patients, especially those with chest pain and stroke.

Dr Madava Djearaman, Heartlands consultant cardiothoracic radiologist said:

“This cutting edge technology will enable us to offer patients the best quality of care by improving diagnostic accuracy, particularly for patients arriving at the Hospital with symptoms of chest pain. As the scanner works more efficiently than previous scanners, we are also already seeing a steady increase in the amount of patients we are able to see and treat per day.”

Dr Lowri Morus, clinical director of radiology said:

“At a cost of just over £2m, the scanner represents a substantial financial investment in radiology services and demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to providing a world class service to the patients of the region.”

The radiology department at Heartlands has also benefited from a new, dedicated CT suite, housing its two CT scanners back to back, as well as improved patient reception and waiting areas.