NHS charity funds X-ray image interpretation course for critical care staff

Pictured above from left to right: Branwen Williams (Critical Care Outreach Practitioner), Rachel Williams (Critical Care Outreach Lead Practitioner) and Len Lachica (Critical Care Outreach Practitioner)

Thanks to generous donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has been able to pay for six staff members from the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) at Glangwili Hospital to attend a chest X-ray image interpretation course.

The chest X-ray image interpretation course has been designed to meet the specific needs of all health care professionals who encounter chest x-rays on a regular basis.

The course was delivered by University of West England (UWE) Bristol lecturers, specialist radiographers and Emergency Department specialists.

Rachel Williams, Critical Care Outreach Lead at Glangwili Hospital, said: “Thanks to the generous funding from Hywel Dda Health Charities, we were able to award six members of staff with a place on the chest X-ray interpretation course at UWE, Bristol.

“The team were taught how to systematically approach the interpretation of chest X-ray imaging and how to recognise those ‘red flag’ cases.

“The training has also built upon existing knowledge of recognising the placement of invasive lines, drains and endotracheal tubes. This is a progressive clinical skill for the Critical Care Outreach Team and it will be invaluable in the management of our critically unwell patients across Glangwili Hospital.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”