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Today is World Radiography Day and radiographers from all over the globe will be holding events to celebrate and promote the profession. To celebrate World Radiography Day, a poster display is presented in the main reception area at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital using the Society of Radiographers ‘World Radiography Day’ pack with free stickers and fluffy owl bugs.

Many people don’t know what a radiographer does. If you have an accident and go to hospital, the chances are that you will see a diagnostic radiographer. They produce images that are used to diagnose injury or disease.

Ever thought of being a radiographer? Download a leaflet which describes what radiographers do and (in the UK) what skills and qualifications are required.

Patients with high blood pressure at Good Hope Hospital are the first in the region to benefit from a ground-breaking new treatment.

The procedure, called renal denervation (RDN), is a minimally invasive technique which aims to reduce blood pressure in patients for whom all blood pressure medication has failed. The procedure has been successfully undertaken on the first three patients at the Hospital, with more expected to follow suit.

Paula Field, 40, from Lichfield was the first patient to undergo the renal denervation procedure at Good Hope. She said:

“I have suffered high blood pressure and kidney disease for several years following a very difficult pregnancy. I have taken many different types of medication to help bring my blood pressure down and nothing has helped. I jumped at the chance to have the new procedureand this has brought my blood pressure down to a much safer level.”

Dr Richard Watkin, consultant cardiologist said:

“This procedure is a breakthrough and offers new hope for medication tolerant high blood pressure patients. High blood pressure is very common, affecting around 39 per cent of people in the West Midlands. Having high blood pressure puts people at a higher risk of serious conditions such as heart attacks and stokes.”

The procedure is performed under local anaethesia by guiding a device into the arteries of the kidneys using x-ray guidance. Once in place, the device produces high frequency radio waves. This permanently interrupts abnormal nerve signals from the kidney to the heart, brain and blood vessels, responsible for high blood pressure.

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.

Visit the JustGiving website to offer sponsorship

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.”