SCoR Radiotherapy Advisory Group meeting report
This is a brief summary of the main issues discussed at the 14 June meeting of the SCoR RAG. Minutes will be available via the SCoR web site once approved by the Chair.
RAG was pleased to welcome a new UK Council member to the RAG Group. Michael Graveling is a therapeutic radiographer from Weston Park Hospital. Michael will be joining UK Council as from July 2005.
The following items were discussed. Further information is available from charlotteb@sor.org
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Margaret Abraham presented an update of the 2004 Therapeutic Radiographer staffing survey. As from 2005, this survey will be incorporated within the DH National Cancer Analysis Team Staffing survey. Margaret Abraham has agreed to work with Brian Cottier’s team with regard to this. It is anticipated this survey will be repeated during 2005.
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The group received a detailed update of the work of DG NRAG. This included overviews of the work of each of the subgroups, the Radiotherapy Episodes Project, fractionation review being undertaken by the RCR, and a report from Breast Cancer Breakthrough, What patients want from a first class radiotherapy service. RAG agreed that this report should be circulated to RT managers and all HEIs. (There is a separate report in this edition of TopTalk.)
An interim report offering recommendations regarding radiotherapy service requirements for the future will be produced by DH NRAG later this year and then it is anticipated that a full report will be presented to ministers during mid 2006.
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A paper was presented on behalf of the Radiotherapy Managers Group. SCoR agreed that they would consider if the paper could be endorsed. A number of changes would need to be agreed to enable this. A benchmark figure for staffing is included based upon service hours.
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A working group, chaired by Kate Firkins, was established to take the ‘Vision’ for the profession forward. Members are Margaret Abraham, Jane Head, Angela Duxbury, Hazel Colyer, Kate Firkins and Charlotte Beardmore. The subgroup will meet over the summer and produce a report for submission to UK Council during October.
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The RCR are setting up a brachytherapy group to review service guidance.
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The RCR, with funding from the DH, have appointed a project manager based at Guy’s and St Thomas’s to undertake the project analysing patterns of extended working practice.
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RAG received an update of the recent SCoR /RCR Liaison meeting, where a number of issues around NRAG were discussed.
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RAG agreed that it would be useful to share minutes from the meetings with the oncology representatives from the regional committees.
Date of next meeting is 13 September 2005.
Charlotte Beardmore, SCoR Professional Officer, 22 June 2005
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