X-ray radiographer at @UHS_Radiology & @CityStG_Health doctoral researcher exploring emergency department experiences of #autistic, #ADHD & #AuDHD people
Southampton, England
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We are conducting a UK-wide study exploring how adults experience emergency care, including how people seek care and how it is delivered once they arrive.
Share your experience: EDSurvey.link
#Emergency #NHS #ED #UK #Healthcare #Autistic #ADHD #Care #Neurodivergent
ALT Poster titled “Have you needed Emergency Care?” “About the Survey”: The survey explores what shapes decisions about seeking care from a hospital emergency department and how people experience the environment and interactions within it. It uses a neurodiversity-informed approach and particularly welcomes responses from autistic, ADHD, dyslexic or dyspraxic adults, whether formally diagnosed or self-identified, alongside people who identify as neurotypical. The aim is to understand patterns and needs across diverse experiences and inform how emergency care services can better support a wide range of people. “Who can take part”: You can take part if you are 18 or over, live in the UK, and have needed emergency healthcare, whether you attended an emergency department or not. “How to take part”: The survey takes approximately 15 minutes, depending on how much you choose to share. Website link: EDSurvey.Link City St George’s, University of London, CRRAG and GRRAND. Ethics ref: ETH2425-1579
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The award board results are out & it’s official! 🎉 I’m going to be a diagnostic radiographer, qualifying with a 1st.
It marks the end of a huge journey. I started the course just emerging from a very dark place, one that I now find it hard to recognise. It’s been revolutionary!
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Only 6 months ago, I was in a very dark place and struggling with alcoholism. Now, 4 stone lighter, sober and with a planned career in radiography, I've never been happier. I have plenty more weight to loose and my mental health needs constant work, but I know life is worth livin
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For heaven’s sake. It’s getting unbearable. Please, please, please, when referring to diagnostic centres, can you mention radiographers? The workforce that will actually be carrying out the scans and need careful consideration. @mrdanwalker @BBCBreakfast @SCoRMembers @sajidjavid
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OSCE grades are in. As I suspected, it’s a mix of highs & lows. I knew I just needed 47 to get a first & I got 50. So, it looks like I’m graduating with a 1st class degree! I’ve checked the maths over & over. I can’t quite believe it 😭. I’ve never got the top grade in anything.
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Today was the big day I’ve been waiting for. I got signed off on my last competency, which means I have finished the degree. I can’t believe it! 3 years of learning, growing and making memories & friendships that will last a lifetime. #RadDiary
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🎉 Its publication day 🎉
My first article is in press! 🥳
I’ve given 6 talks on this topic now and so it’s great to get something documented. This is only the beginning though 😈
I hope this encourages other UG students to consider publishing!
Link: authors.elsevier.com/a/1fmhF…
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Last of my marathon bragging spam, I promise. From struggling to jog for 20 seconds to running a marathon. This is what mental health and addiction support can do and why we must fight for better access to it. @AlcoholChangeUK #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness
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I expect nothing less from this government than to try and pit the health professions against one another. Vile. #PaySpine
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Today, two milestones inadvertently coincide - I am 140lbs down and 600 days sober. I didn't think either would EVER be possible. I have learnt so much more during this transition period than I ever did in the previous 29 years. It's hard to explain how truly grateful I am ❤️
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Today's a milestone for me - two years sober. By taking one day at a time, they eventually become 730 ❤️
Read my story 👉 bit.ly/BenVsBrighton
@AlcoholChangeUK
#sober #addiction #ODAAT #recovery
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What a huge honour! 😭🎉
It’s hard to describe my joy. It’s also hard to hold it in half way through an 8-8 A&E shift.
Thank you so much @SCoRMembers. I’m so pleased the topic is getting such recognition.
@SoRStudentReps @BCURadiography @150Leaders @LA_Charlesworth @BCUHELS
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I want to join in the celebration. I’m amazed and honoured! Thanks to those who nominated me & @SCoRMembers. Anything and everything I do is thanks to the support I get from @SoRStudentReps @SSHINE_Students & @BCURadiography. Congrats to all!
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What an amazing (& overwhelming) Radiography Awards. Some asked if I had a newly qualified role. I’m excited to say I accepted a job at @UHS_Radiology. Ecstatic that I will have 1 research day a week to start a project improving emergency radiography for neurodivergent patients.
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Physical copies of my Visual Reference Book have arrived. Thanks @SCoRMembers for supporting my idea and turning my crude squares and circles into fantastic diagrams. I’d love feedback from students or educators using it.
Order a free copy here 👇🏻
surveys.sor.org/s3/Visual-Re…
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My highest mark for anything ever! 🥳
I got the result yesterday and was scared to check in case it ruined my time away. It was for a presentation on reflection, ethics and legislation. I’m never sure if to tweet good grades, fearing looking arrogant, but please allow me this one
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I am a marathoner! The hardest thing I’ve ever done - physically and mentally. I managed to get it under 6 hours (just). The support from the crowd was amazing. Thanks to everyone that donated. You’re all amazing. You can still donate: bit.ly/BenVsBrighton
@AlcoholChangeUK
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Hi all. @jade_w08 and I are interested in setting up a meeting of neurodivergent students from nursing, midwifery and allied health professions to discuss our experiences of clinical placement. Please get in touch if you're interested or RT and share this around! #Neurodiversity
ALT Are you a UK Neurodivergent Healthcare Student? We are interested in setting up a meeting of students from all nursing, midwifery and allied health professions to discuss our experiences of clinical placement. Key Questions: What are our common barriers? What has been implemented that works? How could it be better? Get in touch - @ben_imaging or @jade_w08 or email: bpxr00@gmail.com
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Dissertation Submitted! 🎉🥳
"A survey exploring the role of placement experiences in student radiographers’ confidence of adapting practice for autistic patients."
It's been hard work but I've enjoyed every minute of it. Anyway, time to rejoin civilisation.
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Wow! I’m genuinely thrilled about this. It’s amazing to get two nominations, and particularly one for inclusivity (named after an absolute legend too!) I’m not sure if I find out who nominated me but I’m incredibly grateful 🥲 @MyBCU @BCURadiography #IAMBCUAwards
#IAMBCU
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15 months later and 8 stone lost, I can see the forced pained smile on the old photo. Ironically, I’ve gained so much from this process 🧠. #inprogress
#weightlossjourney #soberlife
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You have to be kidding me. Everyday I see the power of multi-disciplinary teams of medics, nurses and AHPs. Why are you not reflecting that? Why try and divide us? If the system needs addressing, we do it together. This is destined for failure.
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I’ve arrived and checked in at Brighton. Tomorrow is the day - my 1st marathon! I’m nervous but so ready to dig deep and push myself for an amazing charity. I can deal with a day of pain knowing that I’m supporting those struggling with addiction. Let’s go! @AlcoholChangeUK
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My first 2nd-year assignment grade and the first that actually counts towards my degree. Really happy with this. I enjoyed writing about the subject (diagnosis of COPD). It’s the boost I needed during this miserable winter. Also, it’s meaningful as my 1st work on #ADHD meds 👌🏻
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Very honoured and excited to be joining NHS Health Education England's AHP Practice-Based Learning Advisory Board as the Student Advisor! It has accomplished so much and I'm looking forward to giving my student AHP input.
@SoRStudentReps @150Leaders
piped.video/dCjQNuBN1a4
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We need to start the process earlier to really bring down the backlogs though. Patients shouldn't have to wait until they attend A&E. Whole body CTs should be carried out at home.
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This is what sobriety can do. I know that with the right support others suffering with addiction can change their lives too. This is why I’m supporting @AlcoholChangeUK & running my first marathon. Want to do something special this Christmas? Donate here: bit.ly/BenVsBrighton
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I did an abdominal X-ray earlier and went too low, so I had to do the rest on another image. I didn’t post-crop it though and sent both. Anyway, the reporter spotted a NOF# on it 👀. Obviously, that was my plan all along! Jokes aside, it’s a good lesson. #RadDiary
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Wooo! Extremely excited to speak about why neurodiversity matters at such a big and important conference! 🥳💪🏻 #RadDiary
@UKIOCongress @BCURadiography @SoRStudentReps @SCoRMembers
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Hi everyone. The survey for my dissertation research project is now live! I think we can all agree it's a really important topic and one with no previous research. Please share.
Link: bit.ly/RAD_AUTISM
@SoRStudentReps @SCoRMembers @rad_ucational @rad__chat @CMalamateniou
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I've made a graphic for describing fractures. I find it easier to visualise things and making something like this requires me to think about each element.
Reporting radiographers, does this look correct? Am I missing anything?
#RadDiary #StudentRadiographer
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Finally I have got a uniform that fits. I will no longer walk the hospital corridors in a tent. One member of staff said I looked like Tom Hanks in “Big” after he has turned into a child. 😆
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Oh wow, I didn’t know this was happening! Hello ☺️👋🏻
Oh hello @ben_imaging! 😃 Ben doing amazing work for students and Neurodiversity #studentrads #Neurodiversity @SoRStudentReps
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Just got my highest grade I’ve ever got in any education, and for a assignment based on reflection. Who would have guessed I’m good at talking about myself? 😜
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I am absolutely overjoyed to have been selected for the #150leaders 2021 programme. Many of the most inspiring people I know are alumni and I’m honoured to follow in their footsteps. 🥳 #StudentRadiographer
Congratulations to all of our students who are joining our #150Leaders joining the Student Leadership Programme 2021!
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Wishing all my rad colleagues around the world a very happy world radiography day! It’s my first one as a qualified radiographer. I’m as proud and grateful to be a member of this profession as I was as a student. In fact, even more so!
#WRD #WRD23 #WorldRadiographyDay
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First day done ✅
By that I mean tours, training, ID & IT access. I’m excited for the rest of the week, meeting more people & doing some radiography 🩻 #RadDiary
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I’m made it to the top of the highest mountain in the UK to mark my 31st birthday. There were various periods in my life I didn’t think I’d make it to 31 and I certainly didn’t want to. Life has the potential to be amazingly beautiful, you’ve just got to stick in there to see it.
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11 miles of beautiful trails to celebrate 1000 days of #sobriety. I know I’ll never be free of #addiction, but each morning I commit to staying sober for the rest of the day, and that’s all I can ask for. One day at a time, change is possible.
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Bang!💥 second year is done! ✅
I’m officially starting my final year. Only 9 months until I’m qualified. Everyone that’s followed my journey knows how fast it’s gone. There’s been few days I haven’t enjoyed and never one I haven’t felt I’ve accomplished something. #RadDiary
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It’s pretty much compulsory to upload a photo of a messy desk when writing a dissertation, right? #RadDiary
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I didn’t win the award, but am honoured to have been shortlisted. My work to advocate for neurodivergent students, staff and patients in radiography is only just beginning. It was an excellent event and I finally got to say hi to the celebrity @theveganldnurse! 😁
#iambcuawards
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50km ultramarathon finished ✅
Unsurprisingly, everything hurts. My knee died at mile 17. I will explain the experience properly tomorrow. I am wearing my @radiotherapy_uk shirt underneath 🧡. Huge thank you to everyone that donated. You can still do so: bit.ly/benruns50
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What an amazing first time speaking at ADC. Not only was everyone incredibly supportive during the session but even more so afterwards. Thank you to those that seconded the motion & shared why it mattered to them ❤️. I’m so pleased the motion was carried. #ADC2023
@SCoRMembers
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#RadDiary: A&E. My last ever week of A&E shifts as a student. I managed to get my adapted appendicular assessment done. So I have just a few numbers in different modalities (MRI, US & OPG) to do. No more assessments! 🥲
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I’ve done my first half marathon! It was the hardest thing I’ve done. A much hillier course than I’m used to and the furthest I’ve ever run. I was fighting off tears as I crossed the line. Read my story and support me 👉 bit.ly/BenVsBrighton #mentalhealth @AlcoholChangeUK
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It's important everyone remembers what it was like being a student. It's hard physically, it's hard psychologically, it's hard emotionally, but it's also hard socially. Being welcomed and made to feel like part of the team shouldn't be regarded as a luxury but as essential.
Dear everyone qualifying,
Please can we agree to create an army of Nurses that never make students feel this way again☹️
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Today is the start of my second week in fluoroscopy. I really enjoy it. Granted I’m still learning the basics, but there’s so much about it I like. #newlyqualified #RadDiary
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Are they coming from a “ADHD should be taken seriously and shouldn’t be falsely claimed” or a “ADHD isn’t real and just a trend” point of view? Both are horrible, regardless.
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I have a physical copy of the #dyslexia #adhd visual reference book I made (with some very kind guidance from #RadTwitter)! It’s a bit big on A5 for placement use but so cool to have it. I need to find a printing company that does A6/A7 & ring binding now. #RadDiary
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This probably isn’t a surprise. I had my #autism assessment last week & got the 10-page report today. The medical model sucks, but I found it very affirming to have official #diagnosis.
I feel no shame in how I experience the world, only a greater understanding of myself. #AuDHD
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#RadDiary. Finished a short week in MRI. I received probably my best feedback yet and that’s likely a reflection of how much I enjoyed it. Saw a radiographer sit and hold the hand of a terrified patient through a scan, and I thought, “that’s exactly the type of rad I want to be”.
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I really didn’t expect this, especially for a physics-based module. I normally really suffer in exams due to poor memory (#adhdtwitter). I did work really hard for this one though and I think being fascinated by diagnostic tech pulled me through. #StudentRadiographer
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As a student radiographer, I stand in total solidarity with the #NHS #NursesStrike. Your fight is our fight. As the government try to demonise, we must remember striking didn’t cause the problem - it’s trying to fix it. Patients are always the priority.
#FairPayforNursing @theRCN
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#RadDiary: My 1st time in Nuclear Medicine. I really enjoyed it. The work flow is slow, opposite to my current favourite, CT. However, it’s worth the wait. I saw DATs to confirm Parkinson’s - v.interesting. It also hits you how life-changing the results of these scans are.
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Big thank you to the very kind person who nominated me for an #IAMBCUAward! It's very rewarding to think I may have inspired another student. This has given me a much-needed lift! 😌
#IAMBCU #IAMBCUAwards @BCURadiography @BCUHELS #BirminghamCityUniversity
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I’ve had a busy afternoon. I’ve started applying for jobs 🥵😬
I still remember my first day of placement!
#RadDiary
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#RadDiary. It was exam results day and I’m thrilled to have passed second year. I’ve snuck a 72 overall. It’s time for some annual leave but I’m not resting yet. Monday, my bestie @gibsonc85 and I are off to @CityUniDR for @CMalamateniou’s amazing course on patient-centred care.
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Placement day 7: Today I got some positive mid-week feedback about how much I get stuck in and the enthusiasm I bring, which is lovely. I need to work on my confidence when doing the contrast questionnaires with patients, but that'll come with time. #studentradiographer #RadDiary
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Getting overwhelming support from the public and other hospital staff on the picket outside Southampton General. Time to sort it out @SteveBarclay.
We deserve better #radiographersstrike @SCoRMembers
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I got so close - just 7 miles left, but I had to retire. Everything went wrong (torch died, watch died, awful blisters, twisted ankles, dehydration.). With an exhausted body, after 18 hours, my mind broke down too. I’m proud of what I did & I gave it my all, but it wasn’t my day.
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The last of the 2nd year exams is done! That’s a huge weight off my shoulders. Now I’m full of excitement to head down to London tomorrow to hangout with some awesome @SoRStudentReps and celebrate the @SCoRMembers centenary on Friday. 👏🏻🥳
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✅ Job done! Where should I go next? I need another tough hiking challenge. I’m looking at Yorkshire three peaks but in an ideal world, there are some difficult ones in Europe. (Italy’s Dolomites and Cyprus’ Olympus are on the list.) #AHPsActive #Miles4Radiotherapy
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Today marks one year of sobriety for me 🥳🎉. It's been a horrible year for obvious reasons but there are still things to be grateful for. I wrote a blog about my thoughts on this milestone: benpotts.blog/blog/soberingt…
#onedayatatime #sobriety #recovery #inrecovery
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Completed my first 10KM today. I got lost and had to go back on myself (as seen on the map), but I really enjoyed it. It’s not a groundbreaking thought, but I strongly believe that running is a key contributor on the list of things that have drastically improved my mental health.
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Arrived at the @BarbicanCentre for the @SCoRMembers Radiography Awards 🎉🥳🎊
@SoRStudentReps @150Leaders @BCURadiography @BCUHELS
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Very pleased to be joining the equalities task group of the @SCoRMembers. I will ensure that neurodivergent people are represented across the profession’s future strategies and policies. Thank you for the opportunity!
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Starting to feel like the final days of uni are here. My dissertation is going well. I think it’s because I’m very passionate about the topic & had excellent supervision (@HelenPWhiteBCU). I can’t ignore that #ADHD meds are transformative too. Coffee’s powering the last push 💪🏻
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Heading to the @SCoRMembers HQ in London to meet my @SoRStudentReps friends. Some I met at ADC but others I’m still yet to see face-to-face. A perfect way to celebrate the end of my exams 🤩
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#WorldMentalHealthDay
I’m living proof that you can have a wonderful life when anxiety, depression & addiction are managed & treated. You should not accept anything less. It’s hard I know, but telling someone how you feel is so important. You deserve to give yourself a chance ❤️
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I’ve arrived in the Lake District ready to hike up Scafell Pike tomorrow and tick off the last of the 3 tallest peaks in the UK #AHPsActive #Miles4Radiotherapy
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A very happy #WorldRadiographyDay to all the students and radiographers around the globe. I’m extremely proud to be a radiographer in training, providing care, compassion and a vital part of patients’ journey to diagnosis, treatment and recovery. #WorldRadiographyDay2021 #WRD2021
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#RadDiary: Theatre. Finally got to do my theatre assessment & I passed 🥳
That’s a huge weight off my shoulders. It was an intense 3hr long case too. I have another assessment tomorrow, my professional assessment - an interview-style viva. But, Hope has returned! Let get it! 💪🏻
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#RadDiary: THEATRE. I assisted with two challenging NOF fixations and then went for it alone for a final one. It was intense & high-pressured. (Limited space combined with angle changes that need to be done yesterday 🙄) However, a very good learning experience. I’m exhausted.
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This just an argument of semantics. Call it what you want, it exists, it has been missed in so many people and now people are starting to get the support they need.
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A huge happy world radiography day to all medical imaging & therapeutic radiography students & professionals across the globe! 🌍☢️
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I’m 32 today 🎈 and just about to leave to head to Shropshire for a very hilly trail half marathon. It’s going to be a warm one so I’ll be running covered in sun cream.
Photos from last night, having a birthday meal (inc. an amazing cheese cake) with my dad.
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28km in and I’m feeling like I’m going be sick, destroyed and depressed. But I’m still forcing a smile and I know I can finish this.
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A very long day of moving three years worth of stuff to another city, but I’m now officially a resident of Southampton ☺️
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October is #ADHDAwarenessMonth. 🧠🌈
In the UK, ADHD is under-identified, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. Many seeking help for ADHD face prejudice, long waiting lists, and patchy or unavailable services. (10.3389/fpsyt.2021.649399)
Let's remove the stigma.
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I may not yet have a finished dissertation, but I do have a title page. Complete with a no thrills title, we can all agree this is a huge step in the right direction 🤪😵💫🎓
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I’m pleased to be in this month’s Synergy News and proud to be along side @katy_s_jones, @SallyMieu & @jessie05331960. I’m excited to see where the @150Leaders programme will take us rads. Also proud to represent @BCURadiography. Thanks @NicholaJamison for the piece 😊
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#RadDiary THEATRE. With very little experience but pending assessments, I’ve had a bit of running jump into it but I am really enjoying it. I’ve done a few unassisted ones today. Open and closed wrists, elbows and hips. It’s yet another part of radiography I am fascinated by 🤩
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#RadDiary 17/03: First day back on placement and I was in A&E. I’ve gone from 0-60, having nothing in my book to doing 4 including 1 unassisted. I’m buzzing. Very supportive staff that got when I needed a little push. I’m doing a 12hr shift tomorrow so bed time soon 😆
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#RadDiary: Final A&E shift done which means it’s officially the end of my first year! Where has the time gone?! I’ve gained knowledge, experience and worked a lot on confidence. I’ve met some amazing people, both staff and patients. I’m excited for the next step on this journey!
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#RadDiary: I survived my 1st night shift! 🎉. It messed with my mood and I’m not sure what planet I’m on, but it was fine. The biggest issues I encountered were self-criticism & low confidence. I think they are related to the gap since last placement rather than the time of night
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