I am sure that you are familiar with The NHS Improvement Plan: Putting people at the heart of public services, which essentially refreshes The NHS Plan.
Better access has always been important to patients and carers and we have seen maximum waits reduced across services with the majority of people being treated more quickly.
High quality, personal care remains a key issue for all of us and in future the maximum wait will be 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment - quicker than this in many cases. This is certainly going to challenge diagnostic services and puts radiography and other services in the spotlight. All AHPs are grasping this and radiographers, in particular, recognise that this is a real opportunity which allows them to change the way they work and to develop new and advanced roles and services so that they can deliver real benefits for patients.
It was timely that the Gastro Intestinal Radiographers Special Interest Group held its conference in Darlington recently, promoting new roles and identifying the impact they can make on local services. Many speakers highlighted imaginative approaches that are being introduced in radiography departments across the country. Speakers also encouraged others to take a creative attitude to developing services. Ingrid Walker from South Tees talked about the manager's role in developing a supportive environment which allows staff to use their energy for change to develop new and advanced roles.
Nick Clarke from Glenfield Hospital, who is responsible for the plain film and fluoroscopy service, works with Anglia Polytechnic University to provide development opportunities for assistant practitioners in radiography. These staff play a key role in the department and have the opportunity to move on to professional training.
Radiographers in some departments are leading the entire diagnostic barium services. These practitioners are just some of the people who are making a difference to patient care in a whole range of areas. They are working in an interdisciplinary way across services, with radiologists, specialist nurses, speech and language therapists and the whole multidisciplinary team - it was so good to hear about the teams who had the active involvement of patients in determining how they deliver services.
They are an impressive group and like many AHPs have proved that they are an essential part of the modernisation process and really make a difference to patient care.
There are innovative practitioners across the country who are making it happen for NHS patients and helping services move further and faster towards the new vision of the NHS.
We all need to be engaged in looking for solutions for patients and making sure that the impact and benefits that AHPs deliver are maximised locally.
Kay East
