Joy for UHDB Radiotherapy team after they won prestigious HSJ Award
UHDB's Radiotherapy team at Royal Derby Hospital have shared their joy after winning a national award for their innovative work introducing tattoo-free radiotherapy treatment for patients with cancer.
The team was presented with the award for Most Effective Contribution to Improving Cancer Outcomes at the HSJ's Partnership Awards, on Thursday 23 March 2023 for their work, which was described by the HSJ as "an excellent example of patient-centred care".
The treatment which is called Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) uses 3D stereo camera technology to ensure an even higher accuracy of treatment - down to the submillimetre - and also reduces potential cardiac side effects for those with left breast cancers. It also removes the need for the traditional use of tattooed dots upon the surface of a patient's skin which indicated where treatment should be provided. Previously the tattoos would remain after the patients received care and could often be distressing for some patients.
Since June 2021 the team has treated around 1,200 breast patients who will have benefitted from SGRT and Sue Marriott, Radiotherapy Services Manager, said it ticks every priority box in the way it reduces side effects for patients and is efficient for colleagues.
Sue said: "It allows patients to have more accurate radiotherapy treatment, reducing side effects which is undoubtedly of benefit to them. It also removes the need for tattoos, which can have a huge psychological impact on patients, acting as a permanent reminder of a patient's cancer journey.
"SGRT is also better for our staff, there is less requirement for manual handling which reduces the impact on staff health and wellbeing. Finally, it speeds up the treatment process for patients, this, as well as being better for patients, allows us to ensure we are able to meet the demand for radiotherapy treatment in a timely manner.
"I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with VisionRT to support the implementation of this service and we look forward to continuing this excellent work going forwards."
Lydia Kedziorek, Principal Treatment Superintendent, said the team is "extremely proud" to have won the partnership award and had the hard work and dedication recognised at a national level.
Lydia said: "We have had our patients at the heart of our implementation and are committed to being able to offer this treatment to more patients in the future. To do this, we will be raising money for a third system to increase our capacity for Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) treatments. We have a strong partnership with Vision RT, the company that invented SGRT and look forward to continuing our work with them to make radiotherapy more effective for our patients."
We are delighted that our brilliant, groundbreaking Radiotherapy team have won this very much deserved award. On behalf of all at #TeamUHDB - congratulations on this achievement!