Diagnostics Division
There are so many great reasons to come and work for us, and on this page, you will find out more about some of the individual diagnostics teams across NHS Dumfries & Galloway. Each division within our Health Board has a dedicated Manager which allows for excellent lines of communication for our different teams.
Why work for NHS Dumfries & Galloway?
- Smaller teams providing a real sense of community within the workplace
- Positive culture throughout the organisation
- Visible and approachable senior managers
- Free parking across all of our sites
- Regular social events in and out of work hours
- State of the art facilities including clinical training spaces and simulation suite
Please select from the specialties below for more information
Laboratories
Laboratory services offered by NHS Dumfries and Galloway cover:
- Biochemistry
- Haematology and Blood transfusion
- Histopathology and the Mortuary.
- Microbiology
These healthcare laboratories are involved in over 70% of diagnoses underpinning modern medicine in the NHS and process approximately 750,000 samples cumulatively per year with the aim to identify, research, monitor and treat disease.
The service for Blood Sciences and Microbiology is offered 24/7 through a combination of onsite and off site staffing.
The laboratories service is supported by various professionals including Medical staff, Clinical Scientists, Advanced Practitioners, Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Anatomical Pathology Technicians, Biomedical Support Workers and Administrative staff.
Key Features of the department
- The department is based within Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary - integrated alongside other service areas, good links and relationships with other departments and specialties
- The site based at Galloway Community Hospital is remotely supervised by Senior staff at the Dumfries site, with advances in technology enabling the Senior staff to review and monitor equipment remotely. Improvements have also been made in communication have been made between sites with the introduction of new software
- We are always up to date with latest equipment and methodologies: Microbiology – Mass Spectrometry and Molecular PCR; Pathology – immunohistochemistry
- We are in the process of installing a fully tracked automated system within Biochemistry which will support in the efficient processing of - 1200 specimens per day
- The Laboratories are accredited by UKAS to medical laboratory standards ISO15189 and hold IBMS training accreditation from the training of support staff and BMS staff
- Pneumatic Tube System: the labs can receive specimen samples from wards across the hospital reducing risk of cross contamination
- Point of care testing equipment & a dedicated Point of care testing team support the clinical staff requiring access to these devices for support in diagnosis/monitoring
- We have developed a inhouse IT team which allows for a greater standard of security and efficient upkeep of equipment
- We are constantly utilising our workspace in the department to develop and improve the service we provide
- Good links with diagnostic networks where we are able to share best practice
Top reasons to join our team
- All under one health board, no conflict of interest across reporting structures
- The team are involved in Acute management meetings which allows the department to have insight and to raise any concerns
- We are modernising the workforce with the development of new roles such as the Advanced practitioner in Histopathology
- Members of the team have opportunity to attend Multi-disciplinary meetings and complete ward rounds
- Opportunities for development and training at different levels
“The people and the atmosphere working here are both great.
Working in a modern hospital gives a high quality work space;this is also one of the cleanest hospitals I have ever worked in!
I love the surrounding nature and views, I enjoy running and there is plenty of places to go out when not working, I have even ran to work instead of taking my car which is a much healthier commute to work. Dumfries is a easy place to travel to and has easy links to the larger cities. “
Locum Histopathologist
Radiology
Our Radiology service is offered at both at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary and The Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer. The team provides emergency cover 24/7, all year around, but the interventional radiology service is not provided Out of hours
The range of services provided depending on location, includes:
- General radiography
- Theatre radiography/fluoroscopy
- Mobile radiography on wards/resuscitation
- Dental radiography
- Computerised Tomography (including cardiac CT, CT colonography)
- DEXA scanning
- Mammography
- DSA (Digital subtraction angiography)
- Interventional fluoroscopy
- Videofluoroscopy
- MRI
- Image-guided non-vascular interventions
- Sonography
The service has a multi-disciplinary team made up of Radiologist, Radiology Nurses, Radiographers, X-ray Helpers, Porters, Administrative and Clerical Staff.
Key features of the department
- Good mixture and open to any subspecialist skills can accommodate special interests and subspecialties.
- Modern department with state-of-the-art equipment including DEXA Scanner, MR Scanner, CT Scanners, Image-guided Interventions (vascular interventions are currently under vascular surgeons), general X-Ray and Mammography.
- Fully digital department - the team has upgraded software for staff to allow for homeworking
- Using latest version of national PACS system – Scotland wide network
- Successful outcome from IRMER inspection
- The team includes reporting Radiographers
- Ultrasonography led by Sonography team
- Student training centre for University of Cumbria – this includes welcoming student radiographers and individuals looking for work experience
- Radiologists support FY1 and FY2 on tester weeks
- The team holds meetings/lectures on interesting or complex cases
Top reasons to join our team
- Good mixture of skills and specialisms within the team - always open to any subspecialist skills
- We are understanding of individual support needs and nurture a culture of development - CPD for all members of staff and supported financially for courses
- Friendly team working in a calm environment
- Managers are visible, supportive and approachable
- Opportunities to engage with multi-disciplinary team meetings, medical staff committee and a range of other teams including A&E and Cancer Services team
- Links to national steering groups – opportunities to get involved in national projects
- All Radiologists have their own offices and can work from home
- Opportunities to influence service development
