RADIOLOGY
procedures, to help prevent delays and hospital-acquired infections, and free up beds elsewhere.
l Delivering faster results by increasing the amount of reporting carried out at home by radiologists and reporting radiographers.
l Reducing the stress of delays by using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support scheduling, prioritisation and, in due course, some aspects of image interpretation.
The GIRFT report is based on visits to more than 140 radiology units across England. While it recognises the issues facing the specialty – high demand, a workforce shortfall and ageing equipment – it makes recommendations which put the needs and safety of patients at the heart of the service using existing resources, as well as highlighting where extra investment is needed. Dr. Halliday was advised in the review by
Dr. Giles Maskell (consultant radiologist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust), Elaine Quick (former radiology service manager at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust), and Lucy Beeley (group manager for radiology at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust). Dr. Halliday said: “COVID-19 has drastically affected the way healthcare is delivered worldwide and the pandemic has made our recommendations even more pressing. Workforce and equipment shortages have been thrown into stark relief and cramped departments are not suited to social distancing. Agility and flexibility will be key in dealing with the large numbers of patients who are now waiting for investigations and this can only be achieved with cross-organisational working, good data and robust IT systems. “We were pleased to see the
recent Diagnostics: Recovery and Renewal review call for a ‘one-stop shop’ approach to diagnostics, and we firmly believe this would make imaging services quicker and safer for patients.”
We want to make radiology services more patient-centred, with pathways and facilities designed around patient needs. Clearly, increasing capacity within the service is integral to that, as it will allow imaging to be provided sooner and results reported faster. But there are also opportunities, drawing on existing good practice and the rapid changes which were required to respond to COVID-19. Dr. Giles Maskell, consultant radiologist, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
68 l
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM
Dr. Maskell added: “We want to make radiology services more patient-centred, with pathways and facilities designed around patient needs. Clearly, increasing capacity within the service is integral to that, as it will allow imaging to be provided sooner and results reported faster. But there are also opportunities, drawing on existing good practice and the rapid changes which were required to respond to COVID-19, to improve facilities for patients in hospitals and enhance the support given at all stages of the patient journey.” The report also suggests innovative approaches to staff recruitment, retention and training, with a key recommendation calling for Trusts to ensure all members of the radiology team receive the training they need to enable them to work at the top of their licence. A move to imaging networks, as outlined in NHS England and NHS Improvement’s 2019 Transforming Imaging services in England: a national strategy for imaging networks, will facilitate this. The GIRFT report is supported by The
Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). Dr. William Ramsden, vice president for clinical radiology, said: “The investigation into variation and innovation across imaging services has been a rigorous undertaking by Dr. Halliday and her GIRFT team, and the RCR is grateful to have been consulted for advice throughout. “The resulting report is truly comprehensive, clearly stating the pivotal role of imaging in patient care, alongside the complex and significant pressures facing departments, and making positive recommendations to improve diagnostic and interventional radiology provision across England.” The Society of Radiographers has also given its support to the report. Chief executive officer Richard Evans said: “The report should be seen as a toolkit for good management of services and a call for NHS Trusts to ensure
MARCH 2021
©LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS -
stock.adobe.com
©romaset -
stock.adobe.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
