Radiography students at the University of Worcester will help address the profession's national shortage as they head out on placement to hospitals across Worcestershire.

During their tenure at the university, the 14 students, who have been studying since September, have garnered knowledge on patient care, communication and the technical aspects of radiography, including image examination.

Their skill set has been enhanced further by interaction with representatives from the health trust, preparing them for immediate patient interaction as they collectively step into their placements.

 

 

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Course leader and principal lecturer in diagnostic radiography, Hilary Baggs said: "We are really excited to have our first cohort of students who are about to go out into local hospitals to begin their first placements.

"Our local trusts are recruiting trained radiographers in both Worcestershire and Herefordshire and we’ve got placement spaces in both of those counties so our students will be becoming part of those teams, those families, within the hospital."

She added: "From day one on their placements they’ll be imaging patients straight away, and that’s the most exciting part of the job.

"As someone who has worked as a radiographer, it makes a huge difference to have people coming to work with you when they’re well trained and have that experience in hospitals."

University of Worcester vice chancellor and chief executive, Professor David Green CBE DL said: "We are delighted to see our very first cohort of Diagnostic Radiography students moving on to their placements where they will add vital practical experience to complement the classroom learning and simulation skills they have already gained.

"This year more than a thousand new graduates in the health professions have completed their studies at the University of Worcester, and joined the NHS workforce."

He added: "It is wonderful that in a little over two years’ time our nurses, nurse associates, midwives, paramedics, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and physician associates will be joined by diagnostic radiographers and, just a year later by medical doctors."