NHS Humber Health Partnership is supporting radiographers to ensure patient safety with specialised emergency training.
Radiographers at the trust have been supported by CT specialty manager Andrew Stephens to help patients experiencing life-threatening reactions during scans.
Community-based and mobile CT scanners in Hull, York, Grimsby, Selby, and Beverley have provided training grounds for radiographers to develop emergency response skills without doctors in the room.
'Leading the way on training'
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole's CT and MRI scanning service, which operates community scanning for Hull University Teaching Hospitals, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Foundation Trust, and York Foundation Trust, has now sparked other trusts to follow suit.
Mr Stephens said: “We are one of the first in the country to deliver this safe service to patients and we’re very proud our service is leading the way on training.”
Patients undergoing CT or MRI scans receive contrast agents or dye injections, which help radiologists diagnose or rule out serious health issues. However, a small number experience severe allergic reactions which can be fatal without immediate intervention.
While these reactions are manageable in hospitals thanks to doctors and crash teams, radiographers in community scanners work alone, prompting Andrew to develop training to equip radiographers with the necessary skills.
Addressing unique risks
Classroom-based, enhanced life-saving skills training for radiographers were developed in collaboration with the trust’s resus department.
Jane Boddy, MRI specialty manager, has also implemented the training with the MRI team, addressing the unique risks posed by powerful magnets used in MRI scans.
The new system of radiographers with enhanced life support skills will be introduced in the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Hull later this year.
As part of his work on this initiative, Mr Stephens has been invited to present his accomplishments to leading radiologists and radiographers at the UK Imaging and Oncology Conference (UKIO) in June 2025.
Find out more about UKIO, including how to register for attendance online or in person, here now.
'Better ways of working'
Mr Stephens also collaborated with Hull’s Clinical Simulation team to create a scenario using a mannequin to simulate a patient undergoing an allergic reaction.
Kirsty Stephenson, nursing simulation fellow, said: "The scenario allowed staff to learn how to respond should they ever encounter this very rare reaction in real life. It gives them the chance to put what they learn in the classroom into practice, learning from mistakes or better ways of working in a safe space."
Clinical simulation exercises are organised every three months and the new way of working is now being introduced in CT departments at Castle Hill Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary.
NHS Humber Health Partnership is a partnership between Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
It manages five main hospital sites: Hull Royal Infirmary, Grimsby Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital, Castle Hill Hospital and Goole Hospital. It provides a wide range of community services across North and North East Lincolnshire, including district nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, podiatry and specialist dental services.
(Image: North Humber and Yorkshire mobile CT interior, via North Humber and Yorkshire Trust)