The SoR is encouraging radiographers to participate in an award scheme that recognises and rewards innovative practice in the healthcare science and allied health professions.
The 2010 Advancing Healthcare Awards – previously known as the AHP and Healthcare Scientists Awards – are unique in that they cover professional and specialists groups whose achievements so often go unnoticed.
The 2009 awards saw a team from James Cook University Hospital triumph with their invention to speed up breast biopsies. Hilary Harris, clinical lead radiographer, and Geoffrey Naisby, consultant radiologist, won the 'Innovation in patient or client services' category before going on to take the overall prize for their HILINA device.
The device fits onto the tube housing of the Novation/Nova with Opdima digital stereo biopsy unit, and allows direct digital capture of core biopsy images during breast compression. This shortens the breast compression time and allows rapid termination of the biopsy procedure.
Hilary commented: “Dr Naisby and I were surprised and delighted to receive this award, particularly as the standard was so high. We were not aware that so many health professionals identify ways to improve their service by taking action outside of their normal working practice and hours of work – it was gratifying to have that recognised."
An exciting addition to this year's categories is the Chief Health Professions Officer's award for leadership which seeks to recognise AHPs, at any stage of their careers, who demonstrate in their everyday behaviour and attitudes the essence of leadership in the clinical setting.
Other categories include:
• Achieving excellence in learning, teaching, development or mentorship.
• Enhancing public health and creating healthy communities;
• Innovation in recruitment and career development;
• Joint working between AHPs and healthcare scientists;
• Rethinking the patient care pathway;
• Enhancing self-care and independent living.
Applications for this year's awards close on 6 November 2009.
Download an entry form.
