Professional
Designing the future
Brighton has a global reputation for being a welcoming, inclusive city and the University of Brighton’s new diagnostic radiography degree course echoes that culture, with a focus on hands-on, collaborative learning.
“We want to include as much simulation in the course as possible,” says course lead Charlene Wallace. “And we have tried to create a culture where it’s a two-way learning process. It seems a very old-fashioned view to have lecturers on one level and students on another. Our vision for the course is that we have a much more collaborative and equal approach.”
The university recently celebrated the official opening of its radiography suite and invited SoR President Ross McGhee to do the honours. The facilities include an X-ray table and tube, PACS/DICOM image store and clinical imaging simulation software to help students prepare for their placements, plus a separate room set up as a ward for teaching multidisciplinary nursing skills.
An important part of the X-ray room design was to make the most of the natural light from the large windows.
An important part of the X-ray room design was to make the most of the natural light from the large windows.
The layout of the room and location of equipment was carefully planned to create spaces for different types of learning.
The layout of the room and location of equipment was carefully planned to create spaces for different types of learning.
The widest possible lead screen was installed to maximise the number of students who could be accommodated.
The widest possible lead screen was installed to maximise the number of students who could be accommodated.
The room was designed to allow plenty of space for teaching around key items of equipment.
The room was designed to allow plenty of space for teaching around key items of equipment.
The equipment is similar to that used at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, so the students are already familiar with the system when they go on placement.
The equipment is similar to that used at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, so the students are already familiar with the system when they go on placement.
A particular challenge was siting the technology in a way that was clinically realistic but also allowed for a high-quality learning experience.
A particular challenge was siting the technology in a way that was clinically realistic but also allowed for a high-quality learning experience.
The teaching team (back row, l-r) lecturers Sara Savidge and Peter Dick, with course lead Charlene Wallace, SoR President Ross McGhee and the first cohort of diagnostic radiography students.
The teaching team (back row, l-r) lecturers Sara Savidge and Peter Dick, with course lead Charlene Wallace, SoR President Ross McGhee and the first cohort of diagnostic radiography students.
Find out more
Brighton’s diagnostic radiography courses (College of Radiographers Approved), launched in September 2022 and offer both the undergraduate student route and a degree apprenticeship, with a master’s apprenticeship degree due to start this September.
Photography by Eva Slusarek
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