Therapy department under threat
 Staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are bracing themselves for a challenging year.
The hospital, which was recently named the best in the East of England, is facing a reduction in funding of £22 million (nearly 7.5% of total annual expenditure). “It is clear that we will not achieve savings of this scale by the normal cost control measures – it will need a more radical rethink,” said Paul Forden, chief executive, in a letter to staff. “We need to review and fundamentally redesign the way in which we are providing services to our patients.”
But therapy radiographers at the hospital are concerned that this could impact on what is already a stretched service.
“Due to last year’s financial constraints, our department has seen the freezing of several vacant radiographer posts,” said Jonathan Harrowven, senior radiographer and SoR IR rep.
“This has led to the closure of a linac and a subsequent large increase in our waiting lists, from well within the 28 day target to nearly three months, despite the radiographers changing their working hours and the posts eventually being released.
“However great the ‘rethink’, it still takes the same number of radiographers to treat an increasing number of patients; as for redesign, we welcome this, however, it doesn't happen in one financial year. The trust needs to be realistic and honest, a shortfall of this magnitude means substantial job losses and this will affect patient care.”
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