Role of the Radiographer Prescriber

What do radiographers do?

……..Now!

29,695 Radiographers in the UK registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Diagnostic radiographers Therapeutic radiographers

Diagnostic radiographers take lead responsibility for the management and care of patients undergoing a spectrum of clinical imaging examinations, together with associated image interpretation.

plain film contrast imaging CT interventional MRI ward & theatre Diagnostic radiographers plain film contrast imaging CT interventional MRI ward & theatre ultrasound bone scanning nuclear medicine cardiac

Therapeutic radiographers take lead responsibility for the management and care of patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy during the pre-treatment, treatment delivery and immediate post-treatment phases.

treatment end of treatment counselling palliative Therapeutic radiographers planning review treatment end of treatment counselling palliative community liaison satellite RT info & support brachytherapy

Currently, radiographers can........... Supply/administer under Patient Specific Directions (PSDs) Supply/administer under Patient Group Directions (PGDs) Train as Supplementary Prescribers A reminder of what radiographers can do under the Medicines Act and amendments. Note that assistant practitioners can NOT use PGDs although anyone can use PSDs

Supplementary Prescribers: 46 annotated with HCPC (end 2014) Very few diagnostic Therapeutic radiographers in on-treatment review A reminder of what radiographers can do under the Medicines Act and amendments. Note that assistant practitioners can NOT use PGDs although anyone can use PSDs

Challenges of supplementary prescribing: CMP Logistics of getting CMP signed SP more suited to long term conditions A reminder of what radiographers can do under the Medicines Act and amendments. Note that assistant practitioners can NOT use PGDs although anyone can use PSDs

Independent prescribing Why and how would it be used? A reminder of what radiographers can do under the Medicines Act and amendments. Note that assistant practitioners can NOT use PGDs although anyone can use PSDs

Independent Prescribing in Radiotherapy Extension of current practice of Supplementary Prescribing Would overcome issues with CMP Better and quicker service delivery Keeping patient on treatment New ways of working; community, satellite etc Using skills of radiographers 46 SPs in UK, most of whom are therapy radiographers working in on-treatment review

Independent Prescribing in Imaging Mainly contrast agents PGDs will continue to be used Radiographer led services Most of what diagnostic radiographers do is about administration. Simultaneous prescribing and administration is possible BUT it is NOT considered good practice and local procedures must be put in place to ensure patient safety.

Independent Prescribing in Imaging Interventional e.g. gastro-intestinal Ultrasound e.g. musculoskeletal Vascular e.g. insertion of lines DEXA scanning New ways of working e.g. Emergency department WE NEED A BIT OF VISION... Most of what diagnostic radiographers do is about administration. Simultaneous prescribing and administration is possible BUT it is NOT considered good practice and local procedures must be put in place to ensure patient safety.

WE NEED A BIT OF VISION...... A patient with a minor injury is sent for imaging, radiographer reports there is no bony injury. What if the radiographer could discharge the patient from imaging with referral and/or prescription? Better for patient, better for service

THE NHS ENGLAND MEDICINES PROJECT...... 22 DAYS LEFT FOR CONSULTATION Please support radiographers by responding positively Stronger together Better for patient, better for service

Christina Freeman christinaf@sor.org