School of Health Sciences and Social Work
Portsmouth graduate part of winning radiography team
Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:25:00 GMT
A University of Portsmouth radiography graduate has seen the subject of his dissertation on improving the quality of care for cancer patients put into practice and win national recognition.
Conor Fitzpatrick, who graduated in 2009, is part of a team of radiographers in the South who have won the Society of Radiographers Radiography Team of the Year award for its services to patients suffering spinal cord compression as a result of malignant tumours. Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression is a condition affecting a small percentage of cancer patients but if left untreated or diagnosed to late the results can be devastating, leading to paralysis.
Conor had researched the topic whilst writing his dissertation for his degree in Therapeutic Radiography and went on to join the Malignant Spinal Cord Compression team at Musgrove Park Hospital in Somerset, the newest radiography centre in the UK.
He said that when it was announced that the team would be undertaking an audit on care for this section of patients, he jumped at the chance to become involved.
He said: “We implemented a system which helps to ensure early symptom recognition as well as efficient diagnosis and treatment. We've improved patient awareness of the symptoms through the introduction of a smart card, strengthened the process for patient referral following diagnosis and implement a fast-track scheme for treatment.
“The research that I had previously done into this area has enabled us to understand the shortfalls in the care for these patients and has allowed us to focus on the specific areas for improvement in the care pathway.”
Radiography is one of the main therapies in the treatment of cancer with around 50 per cent of patients benefiting from therapy.
Team of the Year is a relatively new award by the Society of Radiographers in recognition of service development and clinical improvement.
Conor said: “It is an honour to be involved with this team and to be recognised with an award that will allow us to highlight our work on a national scale. There is a lot of work still to be done, but it is an exciting process.”