Dear AuntMinnieEurope Member,
Occasionally a blog or column really hits the spot. I felt exactly that when I read Dr. Chris Hammond's article about the frustrations of working in the U.K. National Health Service (NHS). It's this week's top story.
The pandemic has cruelly revealed "the structural inadequacies that we have been working around in the NHS for years and years," he writes. Judging by the feedback we've received, many of you can relate to his feelings -- including readers outside of the U.K. who face similar challenges. Find out more in the Women's Imaging Community.
Workforce shortages, obsolete equipment, and growing demand for imaging have all contributed to the current crisis in the NHS. In Wednesday's budget statement, the U.K. government announced extra spending on diagnostic services, but it remains to be seen whether this will be sufficient to repair the failing system described so lucidly by Hammond.
Vasa previa is a rare but potentially catastrophic cause of antepartum hemorrhage and can result in fetal death, but a prenatal diagnosis can make a major impact on outcome, Australian researchers have reported. They found that audits can help to raise awareness of the condition.
Meanwhile, the problem of claustrophobia in MRI has become marginally worse during the pandemic, according to a new survey among specialist radiographers. Get the full details in our MRI Community.
Dr. Graeme Bydder is a highly respected MRI researcher with a long and successful track record. It's intriguing that he is focusing much of his current effort on the potential of low-field scanners. Don't miss his latest thoughts on this topic.
