University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) will celebrate the first anniversary of its Clinical Radiology Global Radiologists’ Programme on Sunday 10 May.
Radiologists are doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating disease using various medical imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans along with performing image-guided interventions. The Trust’s radiology service sees over 300,000 patients every year, but in common with much of the NHS, it has struggled with the recruitment of radiologists.
Last May, as part of a pilot programme involving UHMBT, Health Education England, the Royal College of Radiologists and Apollo Radiology International (India), four experienced radiologists were recruited from India to support clinical service delivery whilst learning specialist skills, as part of a three-year earn, learn and return programme. The success of the pilot has led to the national roll-out of the programme across other NHS trusts across the UK, with a further 10 radiologists now in post nationally and 36 more recruited to join the next cohort to arrive in the UK.
Global Radiologist, Dr Silpa Kadiyala, said: “We wish to thank the Trust, our colleagues and the Department of Radiology for being so supportive and welcoming in our journey so far. Today we feel elated at having joined this project as pilot candidates rather than taking an alternative established route to work in the UK. We can proudly say that the RLI was the best place for us to start our NHS careers.”
Dr Robin Proctor, Deputy Medical Director, who has spearheaded the programme at the Trust, said: “We are delighted to have reached the first anniversary of this fantastic collaboration between the Trust, RCR, HEE and Apollo Radiology International. I want to thank all of our new colleagues for their hard work and contribution to the radiology department since joining the Trust last year and wish them continued success for their remaining time with the Trust.”
David Wilkinson, Director of People and Organisational Development, UHMBT, added: “The Global Radiologists’ Programme has been a fantastic opportunity for the Trust to strengthen our workforce to deliver the best possible radiology care and experience to the population in Lancashire and South Cumbria.”
You can find out more about the programme at https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/global-engagement/global_radiologists_programme
Photo caption: Liesje Turner, Assistant Director of Workforce, Dr Robin Proctor, Deputy Medical Director, and Global Radiologists. Photo taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.