A day in the life of...

Tell us about your role with Practice Plus Group

I joined Practice Plus Group as an agency radiographer contract at first, soon after I had moved to Devizes in Wiltshire. Thankfully a permanent position became available just two months later.

I could see some changes I wanted to make and as an agency worker I couldn’t do that, so I jumped at the chance to become a member of staff and I’ve never looked back!

I am very lucky to love my job so much. Practice Plus Group have been so supportive and have given me opportunities for promotion and autonomy to make changes and run the department how I think best. Having come from the NHS, I love that I can really spend time with my patients and get to know their treatment plans, and what’s happening in their lives.

What does your typical day look like?

I split my time between working with patients and my manager duties. Last year I was recently involved in a complete re-fit of our X-ray room which is all lovely and new now.

Most of the patients I see are NHS patients referred to us for X-rays from their GP, but we also have private patients, for example those who can’t wait on the NHS list for new hips or knees and are paying for themselves. Most commonly we see knees and hips, but we also X-ray hands, chests, feet, you name it!

It’s challenging to recruit at the moment, as it is for most radiology departments across the country in both the NHS and independent sector. We’re looking at different routes into the radiographer role to help us overcome this challenge, for example supporting one of our admin staff who wants to re-train, and we also have someone on an apprenticeship who will hopefully stay with us once qualified.

How do you manage to have time with patients even when you’re busy?

We plan our patient lists really well and, as my team works across two sites, we can flex our resource as we need to. Rather than over-booking our lists and squeezing patients in, we prioritise patient experience. The level of activity we can achieve is just as high as it was, but our patient experience has improved.

Even when we’re busy, I think it’s important to not pass this on to patients and to make sure they feel special. I pride myself on positive feedback and love it when patients thank reception on their way out!

Let’s hear it from our patients...

word - AMAZING!

Full replacement of my left hip took four weeks and three days from consultation to operation. Surgeon and associated staff were brilliant along with all my nurses and ancillary staff. Food was also great as an added bonus. Thank you Barlborough.”

“From start to finish the service was kind, caring & very efficient. From making appointments to aftercare phone calls everyone has been very professional. Same day surgery for Toric lens replacement in both eyes due to cataracts was painless, from the initial consultation to follow up meeting the surgeon was informative & considerate. I am delighted with my new vision without the need for spectacles (after 69 years!) The hospital is very clean. Highly recommend St Mary’s.