Rare chance to see the world of radiography

Would-be young health professionals can get a taste of what it is like to be a radiographer when three hospitals in the region open their doors to 14 to 16 year-olds.

Places on the visits are strictly limited and must be pre-booked through the University of Teesside’s Schools & Colleges Liaison Office. Phone Karen Bain on 01642 384231 or email karen.bain@tees.ac.uk for details. A consent form will need to be signed by a parent or guardian before the young people will be allowed in the medical imaging departments at the three hospitals taking part – Darlington Memorial, James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the RVI in Newcastle.

The ‘open day’ on Saturday 7 September is being organised by the University of Teesside, the only institution in the North East offering a degree course in Diagnostic Radiography. The event is one of the highlights of Radiography Awareness Week in early September.

Phil Cosson, Senior Lecturer and Admissions Officer for BSc Diagnostic Radiography at Teesside University, said: “There is often a problem in gaining access to radiography departments, especially for people under the age of 17. Yet, that is the only way to see what is involved. So, we have organised the open day, which is aimed at Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils - 14 to 16 year-olds. They need to be interested in a career with the health service and likely to get two science subjects or double co-ordinated science at GCSE.

“I’m very pleased the three hospitals have agreed to open their doors. We can only manage relatively small groups to work shadow the radiographers and have filled most of the places. The young people will need to make their own way to the hospitals and must be accompanied by an adult.

The BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography course at Teesside has 29 bursary places each year and applicants need to have been involved in work shadowing in an imaging department before applying to come on the degree course - hence the importance of the open day event in September.

During the visits it is hoped that the young people will be able to use a CT scanner, ultrasound machine and other specialist x-ray equipment.

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