8 NEWS SYNERGY NEWS FEBRUARY 2014 www.sor.org


Pictured are students from the first cohort to complete modules in minor injuries assessment and discharge at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. This development for


radiographers provides an important means


to enhance the patient experience in minor injury settings. Programme leader Morag


Howard said: “It is important that as service demands evolve, radiographers can extend their scope of practice in a way that shows clear benefits for patients.


The significance of remote and rural diagnostic imaging services in Scotland means that the distance learning model is crucial to maximise access and we have found that students manage this aspect very successfully.” Morag can be contacted at m.l.howard@rgu.ac.uk


A tribute to Judith Ellen Henderson ‘A caring and warm professional’


was lead radiographer for mobiles/theatre and a valued member of the cardiovascular team using her excellent communication skills to ensure the patient was the focus of the service. She was a caring and


warm professional who cared equally for her colleagues, offering support and guidance as a Society representative for a number of years.


It is with great sadness that the radiology department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead say goodbye to a much loved colleague.


Judy was born in


Corbridge into a well known farming family from Ryehill, Slaley. From an early age her singing talent shone through, throughout her school days she sang in many choirs and she gave solo performances. But it was her love of folk music, especially that of her


beloved Northumberland, that truly captivated her Judy went on to become an acclaimed singer songwriter, releasing CDs and travelling internationally. She combined her musical success, about which she was extremely modest, with a successful radiography career.


Judy joined the team at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in 2003 and applied her skill, experience and determination to a variety of specialist roles. She


Judy discovered she had breast cancer in September 2009, and underwent several operations and endured many courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During all her treatment her bravery and spirit endured, her colleagues, patients and audiences could not have imagined that she was battling such a serious illness, her voice and courage were as strong and moving as ever.


She was truly inspirational and is sincerely missed.


The SoR expressed concerns over the misuse of ultrasound technology


SoR joins the debate over gender selection


The SoR’s chief executive Richard Evans has participated in two radio programmes discussing the issue of gender selection. A report by The Independent alleges that illegal abortions


of female foetuses are taking place among some ethnic communities in the UK and the SoR joined the debate to express concerns over the misuse of ultrasound technology. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, Richard said: “It is common practice these days to visit a clinic, often independently run, but not always, where parents can pay to have images taken for their own interest of the developing foetus. That is fine in many respects, however, there are problems and any abnormalities that may be detectable at the time of that scan are not fully investigated. “It’s important that everyone realises that these are


powerful diagnostic techniques and not something that should just be operated purely for commercial concern if there is not going to be a link through to the clinical governance framework and the medical record of the developing child.” In an interview with BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Richard


added: “Ultrasound is an extremely powerful diagnostic tool. One of things it can do is tell the sex of a foetus before it’s born. However, even ultrasound not 100% accurate at doing this.


“It is important that providers of ultrasound services indicate that it is not 100% accurate and that their staff are clear about their policy of revealing the sex. “There are sound reasons for knowing the sex of an


unborn child, for example where there is the possibility of a genetically transmitted condition which is sex linked, like muscular dystrophy. It is also perfectly understandable that parents will want to know for their own reasons beforehand. Responding to questions about the issue highlighted in The Independent’s report, he said: “As I understand, the evidence seems to indicate there is a slight trend towards dominance of male births in the country. It is likely to be a small problem in the UK, but that does not mean it is not important to look into it.”


The Department of Health has requested details of The Independent’s analysis and has launched an investigation into the claims.


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