Heartbeat: Reflections of the pandemic from healthcare science

November 10, 2021

We recently caught up with Jilly Croasdale, Head of Radiopharmacy Department and Associate Director Healthcare Science to find out how radiopharmacy have adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jilly told us: “As associate director, healthcare science I act as lead scientist for the Trust and try to represent all the healthcare scientists who work for us. I look forward to being able to share with you how we have responded to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

“But to start with my discipline, radiopharmacy; the team make medical isotopes for use in nuclear medicine studies at our own Trust and for other hospitals in the region These radiopharmaceuticals are used in nuclear medicine to image how well organs are working. Most radiopharmaceuticals are administered by intravenous injection, so their preparation needs to be performed under aseptic conditions. All radiopharmaceuticals are, by definition, radioactive, so radiation protection also forms an integral part of the job.”

So how have the team coped with the challenges posed by COVID-19, we asked. Jilly explained: “We are used to using PPE, so we were able to adapt well to the increased infection control requirements.

“The department provided crucial support to clinical nuclear medicine services in order for them to continue to see urgent patients. We worked with other organisations to set up contingencies to benefit the whole region, particularly in terms of potential staffing shortages. Both University Hospitals Birmingham and New Cross in Wolverhampton agreed to support this, and their staff came to SWB radiopharmacy to train in manufacturing, releasing and packing of radiopharmaceuticals. This prompted the development of national guidance around continued running of radiopharmacy services during the pandemic, which was led by the radiopharmacy at SWB. This is something I’m proud of, and which I hope helped colleagues elsewhere.”

“The last 18+ months have been extremely challenging, for some very much more than others. But I couldn’t be prouder of my entire team. Everyone looked after and supported each other, as well as pulling together to ensure we had good contingencies in place and were able to keep services running. I’d like to say thank you to them for everything they’ve done over the last 18+ months.”