The Christie NHS FT Annual Report & Accounts 2019-20

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust Annual Report & Accounts 2019-20

Radiology

The Directorate of Radiology is responsible for the service delivery of MRI Scanning, CT Scanning, x-ray, fluoroscopy and interventional radiology, ultrasound and for PET-CT reporting. The department currently supports 24 disease related clinical Multidisciplinary TeamMeetings (MDTs) with each MDT having a lead consultant radiologist Over the past year Radiology has faced a major challenge in achieving targets for reporting turnaround times in the backdrop of increased demand across the majority of imaging modalities. This has been particularly challenging in CT and PET-CT. The continued increase in imaging is a local and national trend. Outsourcing of CT reporting commenced in October 2019 as part of a strategy to manage the backlog and ongoing demand for CT scanning. A system has been developed with clinicians to select appropriate referrals for outsourced reporting. The department has been successful recruited 5 band 6 radiographers which has been very positive outcome in view of the national shortage of this staff group. To further mitigate against this national shortage in the future the directorate is planning to undertake a skill mix review to determine future recruitment plans and succession planning, to include band 4 assistant practitioners and apprenticeships. We support a number of Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings across multiple disease groups; with activity and complexity continuing to grow. MDTS are accommodated into radiologist job plans. We also have a vital role in supporting research at The Christie, through provision of a comprehensive biopsy service and the reporting of clinical trials scans. The trials activity continues to grow with an increase in referrals

for CT and MR and the radiology department supports over 250 clinical trials CT Scanning We have performed over 26,000 CT scans this year; an activity increase of 5.6 %. Extended working days are well established; as a means of meeting demand as well as offering our patients a choice of appointment times to fit around their personal commitments. There are plans to increase our service portfolio, with the introduction of CT guided ablation and the procurement of a hybrid interventional CT scanner in the new development MRI Scanning We have performed nearly 11,000 MR scans this year with a 10% increase in activity We have trained 2 therapy radiographers in MR Scanning for the new MR Linac facility, as well as providing training for the Proton Beam diagnostic staff. MR has also developed a Whole Body scanning service and bespoke scanning protocol for patients with peritoneal malignancy. We have also developed a scanning service to enable ventilated ICU patients to be scanned on site for the first time ever; this has included the training of other staff groups in MR safety. X-ray We have seen no significant change in activity for this modality. The refurbishment and co-location of general radiology facilities would increase efficiencies and also assist with the proposed introduction of an assistant practitioner role for plain film. This year two radiographers have commenced the Adult Chest Reporting PG cert course to increase the number of reporting radiographers to 5

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