"All we have to give". Radiology Department, Torbay Hospital
This is one of series of co-created drawings that has been developed through continuing discussions and shadowing of staff at Torbay hospital to explore experiences of burn out and response to the word ‘wellbeing’. Staff are encouraged to talk about and visualise meaning and metaphor in their work and environment.
This work was produced as part of a residency with Torbay and South Devon Healthcare Trust 2022 -2025, funded by NHS Charities Together and will be part of a permanent exhibition in the historic boardroom at Torbay Hospital.
Specialist radiographer
How does the drawing of you align with your own thoughts about working in the NHS? I think it illustrates my feelings of being overwhelmed in my work, feeling weak and tired of the fight. XX was at the time a locum supporting the CT Department. He appears to be supporting me in a professional way, standing tall with a hand in contact with my shoulder. His support and the other locums support were essential over the last few years to allow us to run the service in the face of increasing demands and staff shortages. The main demands are, but not limited to, the increased patient numbers, with increasing amounts of care required and complexity for each patient. We do support each other professionally but that feels like all we have to give, as personally some of us are just about holding it together. Since we met, I have moved sideways from Radiography into a Clinical Scientist role. My job title currently is Trainee Clinical Scientist, Clinical and Radiation Physics.
If you could change one thing about the NHS, what would it be? The NHS requires innovation and investment in buildings, in equipment, in staff, and training staff. Staff shortages are not acceptable, we struggle to train, recruit and retain staff. I don’t think that the NHS appears to be an attractive place to work, and those that do work for the NHS are not ignorant of that. Our line managers are possibly best placed to see this and as they get the feedback from staff and pressure from their managers, they often feel caught in the middle feeling powerless to do anything about it, the barriers being too big and the resources available too few. I feel sure that GPs require the most investment, it is my opinion that robust support in this area as most patients first contact with healthcare providers is through GPs, and build upon these foundations to provide equitable and inclusive care.
Did you always want to work in healthcare? No, I did not always want to work in healthcare, before working here I would change jobs every twelve months. It just wasn’t on my radar as a career choice for me. But once I started, I could see that it suited me, and I could see that my personal skills were well suited to working in healthcare. I live locally and this is the hospital my family and friends come to for care. I want to be proud of where I work and have a positive impact on those that use the services available here, using and further developing my own skills.
What makes your job worthwhile? Making a difference, working with awesome and inspiring people and hope.
How does the word ‘wellbeing’ sit with you? My thoughts are that it’s something nice to focus on but feels very self-indulgent and the time it takes to focus on wellbeing would be at the detriment of something else. But saying that I would I encourage anyone I work with and friends to find time to focus on their mental and physical well-being. I just neglect it myself, I don’t think this unique to me.
What would you change, remove or add to the drawing to reflect or symbolise your experiences, personality and interests? In the background, could be the patients, or colleagues from the multi-disciplinary team or both looking over me. They are in my thoughts constantly and their thoughts and needs matter to me. Or visual representations of the role to illustrate care, communication, improvement and innovation.
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Consultant Radiologist response
How does the drawing of you align with your own thoughts about working in the NHS ? I feel that this drawing shows two sides of teamwork within the NHS. On the one hand, we are workingtogether in the same space to provide patient care, but on the other hand, we are working separately in our own ways to achieve this goal.
If you could change one thing about the NHS, what would it be? Funding. Improved funding across the board to help us provide the best care possible.
Did you always want to work in healthcare? Coming from a big family of medical professionals, it was always something I aspired to go into.
What makes your job worthwhile? Knowing that I have made a difference in the patient journey. In radiology, we are one step removed from the patient experience. Nevertheless, we are quietly working behind the scenes to help in our own way.
How does the word ‘wellbeing’ sit with you? I see it as being enough in yourself to give your mind and body, to give your all to the work that you do.
What would you change, remove or add to the drawing to reflect or symbolise your experiences, personality and interests? Nothing. I think it provides a unique insight into the behind the scenes working of Radiology.
