Helen Jones
The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has appointed two consultant
radiographers, one in emergency care and one in breast imaging.
Helen Jones filled the emergency care position in January and is
already considering new ways of working to improve the service. “It’s
clear to me that changes in protocols and policies can have good
results for patients,” she said. “For example, my department does 95
skull x-rays a month, costing £46,000, yet my research and experience
shows the procedure is of little clinical benefit. I am campaigning
to phase these x-rays out to improve patient care and save the
department money.”
Helen believes that roles such as hers are vital to improving the
service. “Research can feel like a luxury when there is so much other
work to do but this is what the NHS needs to move on. The changes I
make will have a big impact on patient experience and meeting
targets, but obviously it will take time.”
As well as conducting research and forwarding education and training
for staff, Helen has a heavy clinical workload. “I still have input
into patient care and hands-on practice,” she said.
Many of the criticisms levelled at the NHS Modernisation Agency’s
introduction of the four-tier structure come from the fear that
trusts would cherry pick roles – employing people for the lower paid,
lower skilled jobs, while the top tier goes unstaffed, leading to
deskilling in the profession.
However, the experience at Royal Liverpool has been more positive.
The consultant roles are accompanied by advanced practitioners in GI,
breast imaging, ultrasound and trauma reporting, as well asseveral
assistant practitioners. “I’m aware that some departments have
experienced negativity about the AP role but here, with all four
tiers in place, we have found it a great help,” said Helen.
“The department is trying hard to move forward and it has been a
great success so far.”
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