A new document from Public Health England (PHE) highlights the lessons to be learned from a decade of visits to radiotherapy centres.
The most common theme from the clinical site visits (CSV) was ‘departmental issues’, which “could be grouped into a need to further streamline the pathway, reduction in a replication of effort through running paper and electronic systems, optimisation of the quality management system and redundant checking processes.”
Other common concerns related to the implementation of Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), pre-treatment and linac treatment areas.
The report notes, “The common themes highlighted within this document show that streamlining of working processes is ongoing within RT departments.
“By giving individuals the confidence to challenge their existing practices and identify redundant work processes, more efficient ones can be implemented, but always within the appropriate legal framework and within the context of an enhanced safety culture.”
Between December 2007 and November 2016, PHE staff conducted 113 visits over 227 days to 54 departments across 50 healthcare providers. Feedback was given from all of visits and the report covers a sample of 44 of these.
To download the document, click here.