South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has picked up both the Regional Radiographer and Regional Team of the Year titles at the Annual Society of Radiography National Awards 2023.
The radiology team were recognised for creating an innovative training system that was initiated to help develop and upskill radiographers and support a national shortage of consultant radiologists in the region, while also reducing the use of outsourced locum radiologist reports needed for patient diagnoses.
Over the past three years, the South Tees plain film reporting team has expanded rapidly from a team of six to a team of 15 with a further two in training.
Innovative service delivery
All South Tees plain film reporting radiographers now train in both musculoskeletal and chest and abdominal reporting to allow sustainability and flexibility within the team.
In conjunction with training the additional 11 radiographers, the team also supports the ongoing training and development of radiology registrars.
The feedback provided by the radiology registrars has been very positive and the support provided by the plain film radiographers has been well received.
The team also regularly receives positive feedback from the hospital’s urgent care treatment centres, by supporting decision making for patient management in the community settings.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the team pioneered a new method of delivering continuous professional development talks to aid the development of staff using pre-recorded presentations on Microsoft Teams.
Regional Radiographer of the Year
Helen Watts picked up the Regional Radiographer of the Year award for helping to raise the profile of the profession and striving to uphold the highest standards of care. She is described by her colleagues as a “true role model, inspiration and leader”.
Helen, who has been an advanced practitioner reporting radiographer at South Tees for eight years, said: “Over the last year I have published my master’s dissertation in Radiography Journal, created an internal online CPD learning platform, set up a journal club and have expanded my scope of practice to include all plain film paediatrics. I have also been awarded Visiting Scholar status at Teesside University which is a real honour.”