Royal Devon and Exeter Radiology Department gets top recognition

The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust is among a handful of hospitals across the country to have been awarded Exemplar status for its Radiology department.

The prestigious status, conferred by the British Society of Interventional Radiology, has been given to only nine hospitals nationwide.

These hospitals have all demonstrated a commitment to improving quality and access to Interventional Radiology.  One initiative by the RD&E radiology department that caught the BSIR’s attention was the redesigned patient information leaflets. The society is suggesting highlighting these changes as other Trusts may wish to follow the RD&E’s example.

RD&E Consultant Radiologist, Professor Anthony Watkinson, said that gaining Exemplar status was all down to the well-developed radiology team.

“Everyone who makes up the team – interventional radiologists, radiographers, nurses and helpers – all contribute to ensure the patients journey is streamlined without compromising patient care.”

“It is always nice to have your work recognised by your peers. We have worked towards offering local patients all the treatments that they need at the RD&E, such that they don’t have to travel long distances as an alternative.”

Exemplar sites have demonstrated a commitment to improving quality and access to IR services in four key areas: scope of services and availability, providing good quality care, patient focus and service improvement.