Rob Whiteman

What is your role?

I am a superintendent radiographer for fluoroscopy and interventional radiology based in the main X-ray department on level 1 at the Royal Derby Hospital.

I lead a team of specialised radiographers and nurses alongside the senior sister within imaging to help diagnose and also treat a wide range of conditions from vascular, urology, gastrointestinal and obstetric and gynaecology via small percutaneous access often removing the need for large operations.

It is a 24-hour service encompassing planned booked cases to life threatening emergencies, using on call teams out of hours, taking patients from within our own hospital and also from Chesterfield and Burton as their regional interventional radiology centre.

It's a cliché to say every day is different, but it genuinely is in interventional radiology.  The list may start out planned with one set of cases, this can then change as patients get seen by their teams on the ward and if any emergencies arrive throughout the day.

 

Why did you want to do this job?

I love the challenge; every patient is different, and their needs can differ hugely.  Even though a lot of the cases follow a similar pattern they can change in an instant and so we as a team have to be prepared for anything to happen and react instinctively to get the best for the patient. 

Often as a radiographer we are a small part in a patient's care, and often don't get to see them get treated as we are diagnosing.  In interventional radiology and cardiology (where I work too) I particularly love being able to see the patient improve both on the imaging but also their symptoms.  It is hugely rewarding.

What do you like particularly about UHDB Trust?

Within our department at Derby, we are a close-knit group and I like being part of that. As a hospital, the Royal Derby has the best of both worlds: we pick up a wide range of cases which gives us nice variety on a daily basis.

Radiography is expanding rapidly, particularly in Derby. It is an area which will only get bigger in years to come as scans get better and quicker and the number of patients increases. There will be more and more opportunities in the hospital and out around the community.”