With the new imaging machine
A STATE of the art imaging machine in Withybush Hospital’s Radiology department is helping Hywel Dda University Health Board’s frailest patients get treatment closer to home. Nuclear Medicine (NM), a part of the Radiology department, is primarily a cancer detecting service and the new machine, which uses a NM Gamma Camera, combined with a CT scanner when needed, helps Radiology staff give a quicker, more precise diagnosis in appropriate cases.
A focused team of two Superintendent Radiographers, one Clinical Technologist and a NM Assistant use the system and an additional two Radiographers have extended qualifications which enable them to report on the results of the scan. For their patients this means receiving a more streamlined service – often having a single visit, dealing with a single clinical professional and receiving a consistent service – a service approach aligned with the principles of ‘prudent healthcare’.
Lead Superintendent Radiographer for Pembrokeshire, Barry Denton, said: “We’re pleased to be able to offer this service in Withybush Hospital, it prevents our patients having to travel a significant distance for these scans – as far as Chester, Swansea, Neath or Cardiff. “For any patient this is less than ideal but for the more frail cancer patients especially this would have a huge impact on their care and recovery. Our Nuclear Medicine service is of real benefit to people living in the Hywel Dda area.”
In addition to the new NM system the department has been delighted to recruit a full-time Reporting Radiographer, Wynne Griffiths, to give radiological diagnoses on a variety of x-ray images including planned and emergency referrals. Since joining the university health board in 2014, Wynne’s expertise has been of benefit to patients in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire as well as those in Pembrokeshire.
Having a Radiographer with these skills has allowed the service to save money, provide more timely reports and free-up Consultant time to deal with more complex cases. Mr Denton added: “Recruiting Wynne has been a huge boost to the service. He joined us already trained in skeletal radiography and over the course of his employment here has been trained and developed to now report on chest and abdomen x-rays, too. This uncommon combination of skills means Wynne is a real asset to the Haverfordwest team and to the whole University Health Board.”
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