Lancashire and South Cumbria Diagnostics Collaborative

Are you an NHS staff member with a flair for innovation and a vision for improving patient care? If you have a great idea but need support to bring those ideas to life, the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) could be for you! This transformative programme, delivered by Anglia Ruskin University and part of the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), stands as the largest entrepreneurial workforce development initiative of its kind. The programme is free, lasts 12 months and is open to all NHS colleagues (both clinical and non-clinical) providing learning, opportunities and experiences through which entrepreneurs develop the commercial skills to accelerate their innovations. This, in turn, helps participants to transform patient care, as well as providing them with the entrepreneurial knowledge that will help them in their day jobs. The programme offers mentoring, bespoke commercial education and learning, customer matching, resources and development tools. All NHS employees with a promising concept, regardless of its developmental stage, to apply for this extraordinary opportunity. Could you be the next innovator to make a difference? Application Window: 1st - 29th October 2024 For more information and eligibility: Visit www.nhscep.com or contact us at: cep@aru.ac.uk 

Diagnostic Imaging Network Programme Manager Claire Kindness-Cartwright and Workforce Lead, Moira Rawcliffe have today visited the CT, MRI, X-ray and breast screening departments at Burnley General Teaching Hospital at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust to speak to colleagues about the Network, find out what challenges they are facing but also hear good news they wanted to share. Claire said: "I want to say thank you to colleagues for sparing their valuable time to meet with us and take us round the department. “Meeting colleagues face to face gives us a real feel and understanding of the services – we acknowledge the pressures and challenges but there are also many positives. Burnley has a great team focused on providing excellent care and a persistence and determination to overcome any challenges to provide the best possible service.” Thank you to Lyndsay Couch, Vikas Kapoor, Asjad Mahmood, Adam Wallwork and Lisa Porter-Bennett for being so open and welcoming.

After not knowing what career path she wanted to pursue, Isobel Stones has just completed a degree in Diagnostic Radiography and is now working as a qualified #radiographer at Lancaster General Infirmary.   Isobel tells us her story: “In my last year at Sixth Form, I had no idea what I wanted to do at university and kept changing my mind about which university and course to attend. So, I ended up searching various university websites for the types of courses they offer and discovered one for Diagnostic Radiography. I was instantly drawn to this course as I enjoyed science and anatomy during my time at school and this course allowed me to go into the NHS. After looking at different universities, I decided that the University of Cumbria was ideal for me as it had the best balance between placement and university compared to others. During my placements, I developed my patient care skills alongside my communication and radiographic skills. I feel that if I were given a second chance at university, I would do this course all again as it is an amazing career to go into. Having spent my last three years training at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, it is an incredible feeling to be able to go back there as a fully-qualified member of the Team. I am most looking forward to further honing my skills as a radiographer and working more independently throughout my career. I mostly enjoy talking to the patients as they all have amazing stories to share and knowing that I am making a difference in their lives towards their care gives me the best feeling. I thoroughly enjoy being at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and part of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for the support we receive in the department and throughout the trust. If you think a #career in #NHS #healthcare could be for you, you can explore the many roles available on the NHS Health Careers website: https://lnkd.in/g4_Ncnf

Fahmida Member has worked as an Audiology Assistant at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for 16 years. However, having recently completed an Audiology Degree Apprenticeship with first-class honours, she is now commencing a new role as a fully qualified Audiologist. On this four-year course, at Aston University, Fahmida has studied modules in healthcare science, audiology, clinical practice and research methods which she has been able to put into practice daily within the Audiology department. Sharing her story, Fahmida tells us: “I started work as an Assistant Audiologist in 2008 after finishing a degree in medical biology. At the time, I was still looking for my vocation and didn’t really know what I wanted to do. “It was a really tough decision to do the course as I had to travel to Birmingham and stay over every couple of weeks. This meant extra pressure for my husband as he would have to manage the children during the times I was away. Thankfully though, both our families live nearby so we had a really strong support network. “I also had no idea if I would be able to get my head back into education after working for so long, even though I am quite academic – but I found it surprisingly easy to get back into studying. “The apprenticeship has enabled me to move from a role where I am supporting ENT clinics and carrying out basic hearing aid checks, to completing direct access hearing clinics and making more independent clinical decisions. In addition, I can now set up and fit hearing aids. It also now means I can progress further in the future to specialise in specific areas of Audiology. “Learning as you work means you can implement what you have been taught immediately which makes a massive difference. “I enjoy helping people and it’s nice to be there for people who are hard of hearing, especially when they can hear again or better. But it’s the patients themselves that make the job so special and varied. “I would advise anyone looking to take up an apprenticeship or role in Audiology not to hold back due to age or other commitments, learning is life-long so as long as you are prepared to put the hard work in!"

Building work for the Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC) at Westmorland General Hospital is progressing well and is due to open in the Autumn. We are pleased to share some of the latest photographs showing the progress that is being made. University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

Congratulations to the Departmental Lead for Paediatric Audiology, Andrea Curran and the Paediatric Audiology team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust who have won Learning, Excellence and Achievements in Physiological Sciences (LEAPS) awards. Andrea received multiple nominations for the Manager Award, describing her as “always showing exceptional dedication to learning and fostering growth within her team”. Her commitment to developing her own skills has set a positive example within the team, creating a culture of continuous improvement. Her colleagues say: “Andrea blends dedication with compassion, ensuring top notch care by staying updated with advancements. Her accurate assessments, individualised treatment plans, attention to detail and comforting manner build trust with young patients and their families. Whether conducting tests or providing emotional support, she prioritises their well-being. “Andrea's commitment sets a high standard for her team and she leads by example, reflecting her profound impact on local paediatric audiology practice and patient satisfaction. Her unwavering dedication ensures children receive the best care.” Andrea's approach, blending leadership, expertise and teamwork, truly sets the bar high for audiology and physiological science in our region. Feedback from her patients and her clinical colleagues is always of the highest standard. Andrea’s team also won the Team Award for continually displaying excellence and always receiving resoundingly positive feedback from their patients . Each team member is an advocate for the service and demonstrates a strong willingness to improve patient outcomes and experience. Individuals have all attended courses over the last 12 months, advancing their professional skills for the benefit of patients and developing skill sets in often fragile and complex areas of the service. They lead by example in their commitment to strengthen and improve services by working with other colleagues across Lancashire and South Cumbria which is invaluable in working together as a network. The LEAPS awards were launched by our Physiological Sciences and Healthcare Science Network to recognise the dedication and excellence of our Healthcare Scientists. Our first round of LEAPS awards has now concluded – please watch this space for details of round two which opens later this year.

It's #ALevel #ResultsDay today. If your results have left you wondering what route to take next, there are many different  NHS roles to consider. Eden Smith has just completed a degree in Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Cumbria and has just started working as a qualified #radiographer at Furness General Hospital where she trained. In this short video, she shares her experience and why she loves radiography. You can explore the many roles within the NHS on the NHS Health Careers website: https://lnkd.in/g4_Ncnf

The radiology team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has completed their 500th endovascular repair of an aortic aneurysm (EVAR)- a bulge in the wall of the body's main artery, the aorta. The EVAR involves inserting a small, flexible tube into the aorta to strengthen it and lower the risk of rupture. Our interventional radiologists assist in providing these vital life-saving treatments by using real-time imaging techniques, including X-rays and ultrasound, to guide the operator. You can read the full story by clicking on the link in the comments below 👇

Congratulations to our Apprentice Clinical Physiologist for Neurophysiology at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradley Dixon, who has received an Excellence in Apprenticeships award! 🌟 Bradley is a superstar at balancing a full-time job, university demands, lectures, exams and portfolio work. His compassion and care for patients are remarkable, especially when entertaining children during their electroencephalogram (EEG) test that measures electrical activity in the brain. 🧠👶 This is Bradley’s first experience in a hospital setting and he's adapted well, handling both practical and theoretical aspects with high grades and outstanding performance. Despite the emotional challenges of the job, he’s been a beacon of positivity and professionalism. 🌟 Bradley’s strong academic background in Neuroscience is a huge asset to his team and the field of Neurophysiology. He’s shown commitment and perseverance, making a fantastic Clinical Physiologist in such a short time. 🧠✨ Senior Audiologist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mohammed Nabeel, has also received an award for Excellence in Practice! 🎉 Mohammed has been advancing his skills in tinnitus management through clinical observation and training, while also expanding his knowledge in bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) and complex needs patients. He actively engages with students and consistently supports his colleagues, especially with complex fitting cases. Known for his excellent clinical practice and in-depth knowledge of Audiology, Mohammed is dedicated to sharing his expertise within the team. His commitment to providing top-notch care has earned him glowing feedback from patients and their carers. Always striving for improvement, Mohammed stays updated with the latest technology to benefit his patients. He is not only a thorough and conscientious worker but also a pleasure to work with, demonstrating excellent people skills and a willingness to help both patients and colleagues. These awards are part of our Learning, Excellence and Achievements in Physiological Sciences (LEAPS) awards programme which was launched earlier this year to specifically offer our Healthcare Scientists a chance to celebrate their colleagues for their commitment and excellence. We received some incredible nominations from all four of our provider trusts and there were 15 winners overall. Check our feed for more details on the other deserving winners! 🌟👏 #PhysiologicalScience #Neurophysiology #Audiology #TeamNHS

Director of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Diagnostics Collaborative, Jack Smith and CDC Implementation Lead, Rachel Simpson were delighted to attend the Lancashire and Cumbria Consortium of Local Medical Committees today. They were asked to present on the significant progress overseen by the Provider Collaborative implementing eight Community Diagnostics Centres (CDCs) in Lancashire and South Cumbria over the past two and half years and they highlighted the breadth of testing now offered and the activity performed thus far by our talented NHS provider colleagues. Over 350,000 tests have been delivered to date. This was seen as encouraging by Local Medical Committee leaders on the call. The presentation generated a constructive conversation about keeping GPs updated on what tests are available locally and how they can access testing and reports for patients. A request was made for improvements in reporting turnaround times to GPs. There was also discussion around what the future holds, including opportunities for GPs to get involved in future strategic planning of CDC provision, as well as the suggestion of commissioning mobile units to improve access for our rural populations. A number of actions were taken away. Overall it was a very positive meeting.