Louise Cooper has taken up her dream role of becoming a Consultant Radiographer for Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals after being sponsored through a Master’s Degree by N&N Hospitals Charity. And, as she explains here, she hopes the training she has received will make a difference to the patients she cares for
Louise Cooper was working as a Diagnostic Radiographer in the Breast Imaging unit when she began her Master’s Degree in Breast Evaluation. Sponsored by the N&N Hospitals Charity, the NNUH staff member passed her course with Distinction which trained her to report mammograms, perform breast ultrasound, carry out clinical examinations and undertake biopsies under stereotactic and ultrasound control.
Louise, who officially graduated last month and has taken up her dream role of becoming a Consultant Radiographer, says: ‘Without the charity’s help and support I would never have been able to achieve this. My training has allowed me to work autonomously in clinics, enabling me to contribute to the ever-increasing workload in Breast Imaging.
‘Having another trained consultant increases the department’s appointment capacity reducing patient waiting times and patient anxiety and I hope that my training will lead to a quicker diagnosis and treatment for some of our patients.’
Louise has completed a research project for her dissertation which she hopes to get published, and as part of the new role will continue undertaking research projects to make positive contributions to both the department and breast research in general.
She adds: ‘I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to complete my post-graduate degree, I have been supported by an excellent team throughout my training and feel very lucky to work with such wonderful people.
‘The patients are always at the centre of our care. and I hope my training will make a difference to the patients I care for. I can’t thank the charity enough for this opportunity.’
Dr Arne Juette, NNUH Director of Breast Screening, says: ‘One really big difference this has made is that Lou will now be able to work as a consultant radiographer, thus helping the unit to providing excellent and more timely care to our patients.’
To find out more about the N&N Hospitals Charity and ongoing appeals, please visit nnhospitalscharity.org.uk. If you would like to support the N&N Hospitals Charity, contact fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk.
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