The senior Allied Health Professions advisor has described a visit to the Dental Hospital in Birmingham as an afternoon of “learning and collaboration”.
Dr Janice St John-Matthews met the Birmingham dental radiography team on 15 July as part of a wider two day Allied Health Professions (AHP) visit to Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The Dental Hospital, a referral-based service, hosted Dr St John-Matthews for an afternoon of knowledge exchange, learning and collaboration, with an opportunity to learn from the diagnostic radiographers, the newly-appointed operating department practitioner, and the wider dental multidisciplinary team.
'Unwavering dedication to patient care'
She explained the teams were “eager” to share their experience with her, and that the visit highlighted the AHP community’s focus on learning and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
“I was delighted this was included in the itinerary,” Dr St John-Matthews added. “The dental diagnostic radiography team, recognised for their commitment and professionalism, demonstrated their cutting-edge equipment and innovative approaches.
“However, it was their unwavering dedication to patient care that truly stood out. The fervour and dedication of the radiography team at the Dental Hospital in Birmingham are genuinely inspiring. Their commitment to patient care and continuous learning was palpable. It was also humbling to hear the role they played in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic supporting colleagues in general x-raying.”
'A splendid opportunity'
Seema Gudivada, director of therapies and chief AHP at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, hosted the visit.
Ms Gudivada said: “Janice’s visit offered our AHPs at the dental hospital a platform to showcase their work. It was an afternoon of reciprocal learning, and we look forward to fostering this knowledge exchange in the future.”
Tina Gorman, divisional director of nursing and therapies at the Dental Hospital, added: “The visit was a splendid opportunity for our team to display their skills and dedication. We eagerly anticipate more such interactions that facilitate our collective learning and growth.”
Dr St John-Matthews also expressed a “special thank you” to Katrina Hickenbotham (diagnostic radiographer) and the clinical service manager (radiology and PACS) at Birmingham Dental Division, and dental care professions lead Linda Pritchard.
(Image: Birmingham Dental Hospital radiography team)