Radiography Visit to Radiography Visit to Nkhotakota Government Nkhotakota Government

Hospital & St Annes Hospital, Hospital & St Annes Hospital, Nkhotakota, MalawiNkhotakota, Malawi

Andy CreedenAndy CreedenSenior RadiographerSenior Radiographer

UHCW NHS TrustUHCW NHS Trust

May 2007

ActivitiesActivities• Assessed x-ray and ultrasound capabilities Assessed x-ray and ultrasound capabilities

on both sites, and in Malawi generallyon both sites, and in Malawi generally

• Built links with district hospital and Built links with district hospital and strengthened those with St Annesstrengthened those with St Annes

• Made minor improvements to x-ray serviceMade minor improvements to x-ray service

• Arranged for district hospital radiographer Arranged for district hospital radiographer to receive further training in ultrasoundto receive further training in ultrasound

• Covered the x-ray department in the Covered the x-ray department in the radiographers absence!radiographers absence!

ObservationsObservations• Good quality x-rays produced at district hospitalGood quality x-rays produced at district hospital

• Donation of small pieces of equipment will help Donation of small pieces of equipment will help improve qualityimprove quality

• Little expertise in ultrasound at either site Little expertise in ultrasound at either site (though plenty of confidence!)(though plenty of confidence!)

• Scans not always done using best scannersScans not always done using best scanners

• Specific ultrasound placement would be difficult Specific ultrasound placement would be difficult due to ‘ad hoc’ scanning at St Annesdue to ‘ad hoc’ scanning at St Annes

• Teleradiology link to UHCW shows promiseTeleradiology link to UHCW shows promise

• Situation may change significantly with opening Situation may change significantly with opening of new government hospitalof new government hospital