A radiographer from Benenden Hospital has just returned from a trip to India – made possible after he won a travelling fellowship.
Paul Collier was awarded a Lord Plant Travelling Fellowship, a scheme run by Benenden Hospital and Benenden for their employees in Kent and York.
Members of staff apply with a project which would further their professional or personal development. Paul’s project was to travel to the Fortis Memorial Hospital in Gurgaon, on the outskirts of New Delhi, in Northern India, which is considered one of the most technologically advanced in the world and to take knowledge and ideas back to Benenden Hospital in Kent.
While there he also visited a Government hospital near Delhi where conditions were very different.
He said: “I looked at the equipment used and the way radiographers work at the Fortis hospital, as well as staffing levels and costs.
“I spent my time in an x-ray department and shadowed the radiographers there.
“People travel from all over the world to go to this hospital, as they want to be seen by the best specialists and with the latest equipment.
“There was a big contrast between this hospital, for private patients and the Government hospitals, they were worlds apart.
“India was also a big culture shock – but I loved it. The people were so friendly and welcoming.”
While staying in Delhi Paul experienced a 30 second earthquake which was recorded as 5.8 on the Richter Scale. Fortunately there were no casualties. He also managed a visit to the Taj Mahal.
Paul’s trip was in February.
Published on 02 March 2017