The Christie Foundation Trust Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust Annual Report & Accounts 2021-22

Radiology

The Directorate of Radiology is responsible for the service delivery of MRI, CT, plain radiographs, fluoroscopy and interventional radiology, ultrasound and PET-CT reporting. The department supports a range of disease related clinical Multidisciplinary Team meetings (MDTs) with each having a lead consultant radiologist. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Radiology team effectively implemented service changes to maintain effective delivery of diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology procedures. Radiology has secured £2 million funding for a new magnetic resonance (MR) scanner through the GM COVID recovery funds. The scanner is being installed in the existing MR bunker. Our Services and their achievements As highlighted by the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Report and Richards’ Review, demand and capacity challenges are forecast to continue. Plans are in development to consider how we work and whether a different approach is required. There have been no reporting backlogs due to the flexibility of those doing home reporting and providing extra capacity in the system. Implementation of the new picture archiving and communication system (PACS) has been delayed but migration of data has begun and planned for roll-out in March 2022. We continue to have a vital role supporting research, through the provision of a comprehensive biopsy service and the reporting of clinical trial scans. Research activity continues to grow and the Radiology Department supports almost 400 clinical trials. The department is also committed to developing Radiology-led research and is actively looking to increase capacity in this regard.

CT Scanning We performed around 24,000 CT scans this year. CT is our highest volume service and the team worked hard to recover from the initial impact of the pandemic. We continue to work with The Christie Charity to fundraise for the new Radiology department. MRI Scanning We performed around 11,000 MRI scans this year. MRI has also provided additional capacity to other Trusts. The MR team has also developed processes relating to the identification of brain metastases, which will help to improve the identification and communication of these findings. Plain Radiography Following changes to the delivery of outpatient clinics, plain radiography activity was lower this year. Despite this, the department performed around 11,000 radiographs. This year, two radiographers have completed the Adult Chest Reporting postgraduate certificate (PG Cert) qualification. The department also appointed its first Assistant Practitioner. Interventional Radiology (IR) The interventional team continue to innovate and develop their practice. For example, in 2021 the team delivered the first holmium selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in the UK and treated the first hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient following the positive National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Multiple technology appraisal (MTA). The team are also contributing to national and international meetings. The 2021 Interventional Oncology United Kingdom (IOUK) meeting was hosted remotely by the IR team and was a great success.

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