Helen Jones
Improving radiation protection amongst the UK vascular surgery workforce
Introduction The use of ionising radiation in the UK is regulated nationally through legislation. The legal requirements for employers for the protection of radiation exposed workers are detailed in Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17),1 Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER17)2 and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations 2018,3 with the ultimate responsibility for their…
Standards of radiation protection amongst UK vascular surgeons: a clinician’s perspective
Background The rapid evolution of endovascular technologies over the past 30 years has driven an exponential rise in the number of x-ray guided minimally invasive procedures undertaken by clinicians, including vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, angiologists and cardiologists. In the UK approximately 60% of all aortic cases are performed endovascularly1 compared with just 1% in 2001;…
Current practice in ultrasound grading of carotid artery stenosis in the UK and Ireland
Introduction The degree and severity of a stenosis near the carotid bifurcation and internal carotid artery (ICA) will determine the risk/benefit relationship for a patient undergoing carotid endarterectomy surgery.1 The diagnostic accuracy of duplex ultrasound in grading ICA stenoses is comparable to computerised tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and it remains an…
Use of rigid dressings versus soft dressings in the management of lower limb amputations: a systematic review protocol
Introduction Amputation is often the most appropriate treatment for patients with a non-salvageable ischaemic limb, fulminant diabetic infection or after major trauma.1 The aim of the procedure is to relieve pain, preserve life and facilitate prosthetic reconstruction of the limb. In the UK, the annual lower limb amputation (LLA) rate is 11 per 100,000…
The prevalence and solutions to burnout amongst surgical trainees
Introduction Following the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers in the UK suffer high psychological distress.1 Increasing attrition rates globally, especially among female surgical trainees, highlight the need for prioritising surgical trainee well-being.2–4 However, there are limited data on the mental well-being and burnout experienced by surgeons and surgical trainees. Burnout is a syndrome comprising emotional exhaustion,…
