Meet
Meet David McGuinness
Superintendent Radiographer
I look after the interventional angiography rooms in neuroradiology. I deal with patient bookings, stock ordering and I train and monitor other staff in all aspects of imaging. I work with the clinical nurse specialists, surgeons and interventional team to make sure the day runs smoothly.
How long have you worked at the hospital?
Over six years total – just over two years in my current role.
How does your work make a positive impact?
We see the positive outcomes from a successful thrombectomy (a procedure where we physically remove the blood clot from an artery by passing a catheter up through it, ensnaring the blood clot and pulling it out so that blood flow is restored). A patient will be unable to talk or move , but after the thrombectomy in most cases almost normal function is restored.
What is most challenging about your job?
When something does go wrong, dealing with the after-effects and making sure the staff involved are OK.
What is most rewarding about your job?
When you see a patient who has had a potentially life-threatening illness come back for follow up and they are cured!
How has your department benefitted from funds raised by The National Brain Appeal?
The charity raised £1.3m to establish the Neuroimaging Analysis Centre, which supports the review of imaging of over 40,000 patients per year. And it has also supported the creation of the neuroradiology service, along with five high-dependency beds.
Interesting fact about your work?
We use miniscule stents and coils for treatment, some only are just a few millimetres in size. We also use sometimes use superglue during procedures with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) embolisations in the brain!
Can you find a metaphor for your work?
Angiography is like plumbing, lots of pipes with blockages or leaks.
Do you have a secret skill or hobby?
I am the current National Hospital Bake Off champion! I also coach under 9s rugby with my youngest son’s team
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