A North Midlands cancer centre radiotherapy department has been recognised for its in-house solution to a shortage of eye protection.
Engineers and clinical staff at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s (UHNM) Cancer Centre have been named UHNM’s Team of the Month for their response to the centre’s only supplier of protective lead in-eye shields stopping production.
UHNM’s radiotherapy department took it upon themselves to start making the shields themselves, ensuring minimal negative impact on patient care.
An internal solution
Approximately 12 to 15 patients a year will benefit from the UHNM-produced eye shields, which were first used in September this year.
A team of engineers from the Cancer Centre’s workshop alongside clinical staff were led through the 18-month project by Nick Wright, senior radiotherapy technician and Natalina Milazzo, advanced practitioner in skin.
Mr. Wright explained that, following the cessation of production, hospitals were pursuing other avenues of treatment for skin cancer, including surgery. However with few patients for surgery, and those who do undergo it often suffering in recovery, the team sought an internal solution.
He added: “We came up with a streamlined and safe way of making the shields, as being made of lead, you can’t handle, sand or grind them. We developed a bespoke series of jigs and fixtures so there was minimal hand contact and used 3D printing to create a tool used to form the three different sizes of shield required, whilst taking off any sharp edges in one process.
“This project has opened up new doors for our workshop engineers and technicians, linking our skills and experience closer to the clinical side of things.”
'Moving forward with treatments'
Ms. Milazzo said: “Rather than facing mounting delays, we’re pleased we could continue to move forward with treatments. It’s been a nice process, and to see an outcome at the end where we can help patients and continue doing what we enjoy doing in our roles.”
The team were nominated for the Team of the Month award by Helen Watkiss, UHNM Health and Safety Manager, and Laura Holland, Advanced Practitioner.
Carolyn O’Donovan, radiotherapy service Manager at UHNM said: “The in-eye shields are used by patients who have skin cancers in and around the eye, for example on the skin of the eyelid or around the eyelid. They’re mainly designed to protect the lens of the eye, which is particularly sensitive to radiation.
“If any of the doses of radiation required in the treatment of skin cancer were delivered into the lens of the eye, the patient would rapidly develop a cataract and require further surgery.”
(Image: Photo by UHNM radiotherapy department)