In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve been highlighting some of our incredible women across University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG) and honouring their contributions to the care of our communities within healthcare.
This year’s theme is “Accelerate Action” and a true example of someone who is doing just that, is Sophie Freeman, MRI Lead Radiographer working across Broadgreen Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
As a trailblazer for innovation at UHLG, Sophie recently led the MRI Acceleration Technology NHSE-funded project for UHLG, optimising protocols and scan sequencing to reduce MRI times by 25%, increasing patient capacity and activity.
Pictured: Sophie Freeman, seventh person in from L-R, with her colleagues in Radiology.
Use of this new software has improved patient experience significantly through shorter scan times and therefore, reduced appointment times allowing for increased patient throughput.
Sophie said: “Time under the scanner can be challenging for some, especially those with claustrophobia, learning disabilities and/or autism. Using the new technology means there is less likelihood of repeat scans, caused by patient movement, as scans are shorter, patients can keep still long enough to capture the area requiring to be scanned, more accurately.”
The acceleration software is cutting edge technology, allowing MRI scans to be significantly accelerated using artificial intelligence techniques. This enables higher resolution and diagnostic accurate images to be produced in a faster time than previously has been achievable.
From 1 April 2024 MRI appointment times have been reduced with an average time saving of 20-25% per appointment. MRI whole spine appointment times have been reduced from 45 to 30 minutes, a reduction of 33 % and there has been an overall increase in the number of patients coming through the department by 15 % from the additional time generated by the reduced time slots.
Sophie, who has worked in the Radiology department since 2004, said: “I feel very privileged to lead a team so dedicated to their roles and seeing this initiative through to see the positive impact is having on our patients and the service we as a team provide.”
She added: "Following installation of the new acceleration technology software onto the MRI scanners at BGH and RLUH, MRI Radiographers and Physicists have demonstrated exceptional teamwork trialling and optimising accelerated scanning sequences, aligning the team’s work strategies with Trust values.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I would like to empower female Radiographers aspiring to become leaders in a typically male dominated profession, that they can lead the way with technological innovation. I am in awe of the compassion and dedication of my team and colleagues around me and I’m very proud of this achievement.”