5 www.sor.org SYNERGY NEWS FEBRUARY 2014


UK Council vacancies: Are you up for the challenge?


Members are advised that the following UK Council are vacant:


• Midlands; • Northern Ireland; • South West.


Nominations are therefore sought for these seats. Please contact the executive


secretary, Karen Wellings, to discuss further or to request a nomination pack. Tel: 020 7740 7203 or email karenw@sor.org. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the chief executive officer, Richard Evans, by Tuesday 18 March 2014. Postal address: Society of Radiographers, 207 Providence Square, Mill Street, London SE1 2EW..


NICE recommends active surveillance for patients with low risk prostate cancer


Newly updated NICE guidance on how best to diagnose and treat prostate cancer includes a new protocol for men who choose active surveillance, rather than treatment. Professor Mark Baker, Centre for Clinical Practice Director at NICE, explains: “The updated guideline includes a number of new recommendations on the swift diagnosis and treatment of different stages of the disease and a new protocol for men who choose active surveillance, which involves regular check-ups to see if and how the cancer is developing,


rather than radical treatment. The aim of this NICE guideline is to ensure that excellent treatment is provided for men who will benefit from it.” Dr John Graham, consultant lead clinical oncologist at Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust and Chair of the Guideline Development Group, commented: “All treatments for prostate cancer have serious side effects which can affect the quality of life, especially their effects on erectile function, fertility and continence. This is why it is so important that men are able to understand the


treatment options available to them and, with the support of their healthcare professional, are able to make a choice to suit their individual needs, both clinically and related to their quality of life. “It is important that


information and support is available and easily accessible to ensure patients can make the most appropriate decision for them in terms of treatment. This guideline acknowledges that, and makes recommendations about supportive care.” Visit bit.ly/1kxLV9M to access the guidelines.


NEWS


The number of patients waiting longer than eight weeks for diagnostic services has trebled


“Cutting spending on diagnostic services is


shortsighted and dangerous”


SoR speaks out on Wales waiting times backlog The SoR has commented on a BBC news item which highlights the long waiting times for diagnostic services in Wales.


The article analysed NHS Wales’ waiting times figures


for November 2013, which show that the number of patients waiting longer than eight weeks for diagnostic services has trebled since 2011. The figures show that over 23,500 patients were left waiting longer than the eight week operational standard, compared to just under 8000 two years ago. In the SoR’s response, which was sent directly to BBC


News Wales, chief executive Richard Evans commented: “As well as the potential harm and frustration that delays cause patients, lack of timely access to diagnostic services stores up additional costs for the health system in the longer term. If a condition is not diagnosed promptly, it is possible that treatment will take longer, more care will be required and a condition that was manageable becomes life threatening. “Cost constraints are understandable but health boards


in Wales need to take a more strategic view of where to make savings. Current proposals to freeze staff wages will aggravate the current shortages of diagnostic staff, which will lead to even longer waiting times. “As technology improves and healthcare advances, it is


inevitable that demand for diagnostics will increase. Cutting spending on the services that are fundamental to patients getting the healthcare that they need is shortsighted and dangerous.”


Read the BBC article at bbc.in/KHwFXn


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