Hope and our Nuclear Medicine community

Following on from the statement I made earlier this month on the effects the riots in this country may be having on some of our colleagues, I wanted to say how gratifying it was to receive messages of support from so many of you across the country. Not support for me, but support for each other. It reminded me again of one of the things I love about working in Nuclear Medicine: our community. We support each other, and we are a team.

I want to say to anyone directly affected by what happened that I hope you’re OK. I’m not going to talk too much more about the riots – I think those people have had enough of our attention. Instead in this month’s blog I want to focus on hope and on our Nuclear Medicine community.

After the riots a couple of things in particular made me feel hopeful. One was a story about members of a Mosque who, after waiting inside for things to ease off, went out and offered food to the rioters. They had conversations with them and came to the conclusion that the people who were rioting had never spoken properly themselves with a person of the Muslim faith. In the end, they felt there was more understanding and the violence dissipated. This may not have permanently changed these people minds, or fundamentally made them feel differently – I suspect that once they are among other people with a similar mindset again or interacting on social media with all those poisonous influences, those people may well have reverted to type. Old habits die hard. But it did make me think about education and talking to other people, and the part this could play in changing things in the future. It gave me a tiny bit of hope.

The other thing which brought me hope was when the anti-fascist demonstrators took to the streets in those places where they had heard the far right were intending to riot and literally outnumbered them. There is power in numbers, and that so many felt brave enough to do it and that it seemed to work, is a beautiful thing. It was a community standing together.

In stark contrast to all that was going on at home, the Olympics were taking place in Paris. I love the Olympics – I think it represents the best of us. Effort, pride, rewards, striving to be the best you can, supporting each other and working as a team and representing your country. It couldn’t get any different, right? Keeping tally of our medals and seeing our heroes pushing themselves to be world beaters is inspiring. As was the grace we saw in defeat where athletes would congratulate the winners, despite their own disappointment. But behind every medal winner is a team. They don’t achieve any of this on their own and this is where I would make comparisons with us all in our everyday life (see - I got there in the end!)

In Nuclear Medicine, we strive as a team to do the best we can for our patients every day. These are our gold medals and for everyone we see we want to get it exactly right. I’ve talked before about Harm free Care and GIRFT – Getting It Right First Time. The right diagnosis, for sure. But also, the right experience in every way. I’ve said before how important each and every member of our teams are and it is so true. Many of our roles are flexible, I know, but generally speaking.

Without our doctors, whether Nuclear Medicine Physician or Radiologist, our patients wouldn’t have their report and therefore their diagnosis. Those referred for it would not receive the treatment they need. These are often our clinical leaders, and without them we may not be developing our clinical services. We also may not have the same connections with the rest of the hospital. We need our doctors, for sure.

But without our nurses, or where we don’t have them, our support workers, Radiographers and Technologists, our patients would not be as well cared for while they are with us and as a result, may not be confident we’re in good hands.

Without our Radiographers or Technologists, no patient scans would happen. There is that and often Radiographers and Technologists fulfil multiple roles - there are too many to list here. Again, without them these things could not happen.

Without our Physicists, we could not image our patients satisfactorily, we would not be maintaining our cameras in optimum condition to help patients, dosimetry definitely would not happen (I always find it amusing to see the dreamy look some of them get in their eyes when you get them started on dosimetry. You know who you are!) and we would not be protecting our staff so well from potentially harmful radiation. Again, they have their fingers in many many pies!

Without the Radiopharmacy team, nothing would happen. I’m not saying that Radiopharmacists are the most important (honestly, I’m not – even though I am one, as you know). But you all also know how it feels when there are problems with supply – it’s pretty fundamental to our services to our patients to have the good stuff to give to them!

Without our receptionist and administrative staff, the appointments would not get made, so no patients would turn up and then we’d all be out of a job. See what I’m saying?

The most important member of our team? Our patients. Let’s never forget that.

So please let us focus on hope. On staying positive. On our wonderful Nuclear Medicine community, where everyone, irrespective of the colour of their skin or their faith, has an equally important and valued role to play. On looking out for each other and on pride in ourselves of the good variety. Pride that celebrates the best of us all, rather than excludes people.

In Nuclear Medicine, we have a lot to be proud of. I feel proud to represent all of you, in whatever way I can. I think you’re all amazing, so thank you to each of you for everything you do.

So, let’s continue to do what we do best: working together to get on with the job in hand, being there for our patients and for each other. Until next time.

Ms Jilly Croasdale

BNMS President