It’s all about patients…
Unbelievable as it seems to me, this is the second to last monthly message I will be writing as your President. I was thinking about what to write for this one and I have to bring it back to patients. 

Over the last couple of years, I have had my own experiences as a patient and as the close relative of a patient, as you know. It’s really focused my mind on what’s important and what as a patient, we should be able to expect from all the healthcare professionals we come into contact with. 

Today I’ve been a patient and it’s been a good experience. I had to have an urgent mammogram after finding a small lump in my breast. When I first went to get it checked out, I did think it was probably nothing – it was so small - but I didn’t think I should ignore it, and the nurse at my G.P surgery agreed with me. My referral said I was being investigated for suspected cancer. That’s a scary sentence! Two of my close friends have been diagnosed with cancer in the last year – it’s not something that only happens to other people. 

Happily, for me today it turned out to be nothing to worry about, but it is something that I think we are too hesitant to talk about. All women should be examining their breasts regularly and it should not be something that we are too embarrassed to talk about. I wasn’t nervous about the breast screening process – although I know some people are and I understand that. What I was anxious about was that they would find something after all. I’m quite a practical person, so it wasn’t something I dwelled on overmuch beforehand, or particularly talked to anyone else about. The only thing that was going to help was finding out one way or another. 

The Radiographers were excellent. They asked me what I would prefer to be called (you all know by now my aversion to being called ‘sweetheart’) and were friendly, reassuring and professional. I was given clear directions on where to go and what to do and didn’t end up waiting long for the mammogram or the ultrasound. It was very slick. The appointment ended up with an advanced nurse practitioner who took time to talk everything through with me. I very much felt like my concerns were taken seriously, were looked into thoroughly and that I was treated respectfully and kindly. To me, this was the NHS at its best, and I’m very glad I went. 

So, before I move on from Jilly the patient, please can I say to all you other women out there – get into the habit of examining your breasts every month so you know what is normal and can pick up any changes early. It’s one of the cancers that is more detectable and is more treatable. And men – please also check yourself regularly for any lumps and bumps – you know where I mean!

Back to Nuclear Medicine. Going back to one of my first blogs, no-one can overstate how important good communication is. Some people will be anxious about radiation. Some will struggle to understand what’s happening. Some will be nervous about simple things like parking or finding the Nuclear Medicine department. Almost all of them will be nervous about whatever has brought them to us, and we need to do everything we can not to add to that. As a Radiopharmacist, I don’t personally see the patients very often, but I do know that being kept waiting because the radiopharmaceutical isn’t available can cause anxiety, and where there are delays, it’s important to communicate well. You know yourself if you’re waiting for something and it’s late, if no-one is telling you anything, it can wind you up, or make you feel more anxious. But if someone comes to say they’re sorry you’re waiting, but that there has been a delay, and you should be seen in around 20 minutes, for example, it does help. 

We all impact the patient’s experience – either directly or indirectly. We need to make sure we get the science right. The tests or treatments we carry out need to achieve what they are meant to. I think our system of authorising exposures really helps with this – although it would help to get a bit more clinical information sometimes. Our equipment needs to do what it’s meant to. It all needs to be working to optimal state.

So, as I’ve said before, everyone in the team is important. But when you think of it, who in the Nuclear Medicine department has the most impact from the patient’s point of view on the day? It is likely to be the person who carries out their scan. Who helps them to feel at ease. The role of our Technologists and Radiographers is so important. That’s why we’ve removed any reference to the term ‘craft group’ from our website. I find the term so condescending; no-one is turning up for work as a hobby, as this term implies. That’s why if anyone talks about craft groups, I’ll ask them to use the term ‘professional groups’. We’re not here to do arts and crafts. We’re all professionals. It’s a weird and outdated term, so please let’s stop using it.

So, back to the patient. I don’t know how you feel, but whenever I am the patient, I find it a little weird being on the ‘other side’. When you’re the patient, the healthcare appointment will almost certainly be the only one of the day. It will certainly be the focus of your day. That was certainly how I felt this morning. I tried to do some work before I set off, but I just couldn’t concentrate. So, when we talk about Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) this is not just about getting the diagnosis or treatment right first time. It’s about getting the patient experience right first and every time and that was certainly my experience today. 
Finding out how people have found their time with us is important, so going into our conference, I could think of nothing more appropriate to start the proceedings off that to hear from one of our patients. After the success of our Members’ event last year in Belfast, we are going to organising a similar event the evening before the conference kicks off. Although I’ve referred to this as a ‘Members Event’, anyone can register to go to it. It is free for members, and non-members need to be accompanied by a member. The evening will involve some food and a drink for everyone and provides a great opportunity to catch up with old friends or to make new ones before the busyness of the meeting. We will then be hearing from a lady who is currently undergoing Lu-177 Dota therapy and from her clinician. A lot of the conference will be about celebrating excellence in Nuclear Medicine, but I think it’s really important that we start with something that is outward looking. The talks won’t be long, but I for one, am always interested in listening to what a patient has to tell me about their experience of Nuclear Medicine. 

I’m really excited to see those of you who are going to be able to join me in Glasgow, my last meeting as BNMS President. I’m really excited to celebrate Nuclear Medicine and I’m really excited to learn more about how what we do helps the people who matter most. Our patients – and that sometimes includes ourselves. Until next time.

Ms Jilly Croasdale

BNMS President