14 NEWS SYNERGY NEWS DECEMBER 2013 www.sor.org


Beatson boot camp explores late effects of pelvic radiotherapy


Therapy radiographers at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre hosted the inaugural ‘beatson boot camp’ in September. This was a UK wide, multi-disciplinary event to explore the late effects of pelvic radiotherapy. The day kicked off with an illuminating session from surgeon Mr Francesco Polignano, who discussed his work with HIPEC or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis. Lesley Smith, Macmillan consequences of treatment programme manager, gave an overview of the prevalence and different types of consequences of cancer treatments. Research dietician Linda Wedlake discussed radiation-induced toxicity, swiftly followed by Macmillan dietitian, Lorraine Watson who gave an overview of the dieticians’ role in the treatment of pelvic radiation disease. The session closed with Macmillan nurse consultant, Ann Muls who had the audience focus on the GI consequences of cancer treatment.


Dr Elaine Henry gave a fascinating insight in to radiofrequency ablation in radiation proctitis, and last but not least, the star of the show Dr Jervoise Andreyev with a passionate presentation entitled


‘Out with the old... A new, evidence based approach to managing GI symptoms arising after pelvic radiotherapy’. The day was a great


success, thought provoking and very inspiring. If nothing else it highlighted the simple fact that it is no longer enough to ‘cure’. As a profession, we must take a long hard look at the parting gifts we sometimes leave with patients, ie, poor quality of life and long-term debilitating side effects. The boot camp’s aim was to raise awareness and inspire change. Our next challenge is to get a ‘late effects’ clinic up and running in Glasgow because as Dr Andreyev demonstrated, we might leave patients with these unpleasant side- effects but the evidence is out there and conclusively proves that in the case of GI cancers, simple steps can be taken to remedy these symptoms and maybe, just maybe, we can help change lives not just save them! Lorraine Whyte


The British Society of Breast Radiologists (BSBR) conference


Kathryn Taylor, consultant radiographer, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and Stella Campbell- Trainee, consultant radiographer, Poole report... The British Society of Breast Radiologists (BSBR) annual conference was held at the BT convention centre in Liverpool. The conference


programme was, as always, a mix of cutting edge research presented by both national and international guest speakers and more informal discussion around every day clinical practice. An interactive multidisciplinary meeting provoked lively debate about best practice and the expert panel was kept on its toes, especially when asked ‘why aren’t consultant radiographers permitted to arbitrate NHS breast screening cases even when they are often more competent than their radiologist colleagues?!’ The question was well received and in response, the panel unanimously supported a competence rather than discipline based screen reading regime and promised to bring this before the NHSBSP QA team in an effort to change current guidelines... watch this space!


One of the key topics discussed was commissioning. Dr John Rodriguez, Kent and


Medway screening and immunisation lead, Public Health England, presented an overview of the current situation. On the symptomatic side, care is commissioned by CCGs from Trusts as part of a block contract which includes breast services, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care. Current problems include discrepancies in tariff – an outpatient appointment code currently used =£80 but a one stop breast clinic appointment costs approximately £240. So what can we do? It was acknowledged that the process is complex. The regrouping of commissioning bodies and reformatting of processes has resulted in difficulty of data sharing between NHSE and PHE. The advice was to be aware of the economic climate and realise and embrace the need to save money yet improve services. Savings need to be real but be aware of the potential impact on different budgets. Offer recommendations to your commissioners who are often struggling to make the best decisions. They are short of time, often lack enough clinical expertise and themselves are accountable and managed as part of a new system.


The BSBR AGM was held at the close of day one, hitherto out of bounds to non members. We are pleased to report


a unanimous motion was carried to allow advanced practitioner radiographers full membership in future. The most important aspect of this is full voting rights at future meetings. This vote led to some radiologists seeking us out for information on the extended role of radiographers – a great opportunity to promote the role of advanced practitioners and consultant radiographers Many of the


presentations led to consideration of one’s own practice. The idea of not performing biopsy on fibroadenomas on women under the age 30 was thought provoking, while tips on technique for ultrasound of the axilla were very helpful. Delegate numbers


were slightly down this this year, probably due to ever increasing financial and time constraints. Nevertheless, we were in excess of 150 attendees (including 11 consultant radiographers) and particularly in light of the support shown by the committee for their radiographer colleagues this year, we would recommend colleagues in breast imaging to attend future meetings as a great CPD and social opportunity. Bigger presence equals bigger influence.


To read the full report, visit the SoR website or bit.ly/1c1HLyA


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