Facing ever increasing demands, an ageing population, and an increase in the complexity of imaging examinations, the Cheshire and Merseyside Radiology Imaging Network (CAMRIN) are working to make radiology services sustainable across the region.

CAMRIN was set up as part of a programme of change since 2016, working to ensure imaging services across the region are sustainable well into the future. During this time, due to changes in national strategy, it has been known as: Cheshire and Merseyside Radiology STP, Cheshire and Merseyside Radiology Forward View, and now, since January 2019 following the publication of the NHS Long Term Plan, it is known as Cheshire and Merseyside Radiology Imaging Network; CAMRIN.

The following 12 Hospital Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside are members of CAMRIN:

  • Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
  • Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Liverpool Heart & Chest NHS Foundation Trust
  • Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
  • Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust
  • The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
  • The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
  • Warrington & Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

With the publication of ‘Transforming imaging services in England: a national strategy for imaging networks’ in November 2019’, CAMRIN is now in a position to start deciding what the form or function of the network will look like. The TMT (Transitional Management Team) will work together with key stakeholders to develop a compelling future state vision and roadmap for change.

 

To support the work of CAMRIN in tackling some of these challenges, a number of programmes have been formed to focus on key areas and to ensure long-term sustainability:

Cancer Pathway Implementation

The cancer pathway implementation programme collaborates with the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, to ensure that radiology services meet the challenges set by the introduction of local and national optimal diagnosis and assessment pathways.

Clinical Transformation

The clinical transformation programme conducts specialist service reviews to ensure a reduction in variation and to improve sustainability, whilst also looking at bringing outsourced reporting back into the NHS and instead of organisations working on this remotely, collaborating on it to reduce costs.

Digital Delivery

The digital delivery programme works on the implementation of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) reporting, to ensure standardised reporting across the network, as well as observation (OBS) development to ensure cost effectiveness and sustainability.

Procurement

The procurement programme looks at maximising the network’s savings potential and minimising unwarranted variation in systems and equipment.

Quality

The quality programme works to improve quality across Cheshire and Merseyside. Building on good work and sharing it across the region.

Workforce

The workforce development programme works on the development of a recruitment and retention strategy, and a HR passport so that staff can move freely between trusts.

Data Analytics

Data Analytics is a cross-cutting workstream that flows through each of the programmes. Work is underway to ensure network-wide access to capacity-demand data. More detail on the projects that currently form part of each programme is shown on the diagram below.

All of these programmes contribute towards the strategic objectives of the CAMRIN, which are:

  • Collaboration – Working together to ensure sustainable high quality imaging services
  • Innovation – Enabling the uptake of high impact improvement for patient population and staff
  • Efficiency – Making the best use of resource available across Cheshire and Merseyside
  • Patient and staff-focused – Placing patient and staff members at the centre of all transformation
  • Quality – Standardisation of policies and procedures in accordance with best practice and reduction of variation

View the programme newsletter

To find out more about CAMRIN, please read the ‘CAMRIN plan on a page’, which outlines the network’s priorities for 2020/21, also highlighting the measurable benefits they’ll bring.

Additionally, to learn more about how the network is progressing against its strategic objectives, please read the latest edition of the bi-monthly CAMRIN newsletter, which contains updates from CAMRIN and all of the programmes that support it in making radiology services sustainable across the region. You can also view terms of reference for the National Imaging Stakeholder Board.

Find out more about who’s involved

Steve Warburton, Chief Executive Officer at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is the Senior Responsible Officer for CAMRIN. To find out more about Steve and to connect with him via LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter, please visit our ‘Meet the team’ page.