RCR Lead for the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA)

The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) plays a critical role in improving outcomes for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. As imaging is central to timely diagnosis and decision-making, high-quality acute abdominal CT reporting is essential to the success of the audit.

This role exists to provide strategic leadership and expert guidance in radiology-specific quality improvement, ensuring that imaging data is robust, consistent and used effectively to drive national change. The post-holder will support local Radiology NELA Leads, influence national practice and help shape the future direction of NELA through active involvement in the Clinical Reference Group.

In this role, your leadership will directly influence the quality and consistency of acute abdominal CT reporting across the UK. By identifying areas for improvement, supporting local Radiology NELA Leads and guiding national quality improvement initiatives, you will help ensure that imaging contributes effectively to better patient outcomes in emergency laparotomy care.

Your work will shape national recommendations, inform the NELA Patient Report and strengthen collaboration between radiology and the wider clinical community. The impact of your contribution will be felt both in improved clinical pathways and in the enhanced visibility and value of radiology within this vital national audit.

As the RCR NELA Lead, you will provide national leadership for quality improvement in acute abdominal CT reporting, ensuring that imaging data within the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit is robust, consistent and clinically meaningful. You will review national NELA data to identify priorities for improvement and work closely with local Radiology NELA Leads to support, guide and promote high-quality radiology-led quality improvement projects across the UK.

You will represent the RCR within the NELA Clinical Reference Group, ensuring radiology is fully integrated into national discussions and developments, and you will contribute to the delivery of the next NELA Patient Report, including involvement in the writing and review of radiology-related content. You will also report relevant recommendations and developments back to the Clinical Radiology Audit and Quality Improvement Committee (CRAQIC).

To be successful in this role, you will bring excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, support and collaborate effectively with colleagues across disciplines. You will have experience in audit and/or quality improvement methodology, with a proven record of delivering meaningful audit or QI activity in clinical radiology.

Applicants must be Members or Fellows of the RCR in good standing, resident in the UK and in active clinical practice, holding a current licence to practise. A commitment to the RCR’s Code of Conduct and its conflicts of interest policy is essential, as is the ability to contribute consistently to national meetings and working groups.

Contributors at the RCR play a vital role in supporting the College’s initiatives and driving its progress. Although our Contributor positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis, each role has optimal impact when Contributors dedicate sufficient time to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to them.
  
The total time commitment required for this role is approximately one to two hours per week. The Clinical Radiology Audit and Quality Improvement Committee meets three times a year, requiring a commitment of six half-day meetings. In addition, the role involves attendance at NELA meetings (two full days per year). The RCR NELA Lead may also be asked to represent the Faculty and the College at other relevant meetings, requiring up to one further day; where this is required, sufficient notice will be provided.

The RCR will offer you strong support, ensuring that you are informed, feel valued, and are equipped to fulfil your role.  

This includes:

• Information and administrative support provided by an RCR staff contact
• Regular engagement opportunities with RCR staff and fellow Contributors
• RCR's Contributor Officer, providing high-level support for all Contributors
• The opportunity to attend induction sessions, providing you with all relevant information to fulfil your role effectively
• The Contributor Code of Conduct and Contributor Handbook, which provide reassurance around our expectations of conduct and personal integrity.

The benefits include:

• Networking with a diverse community of Fellows and experts
• Opportunities to advance clinical radiology and clinical oncology and improve patient care
• Clear progression pathways to more in-depth roles at the RCR
• CPD points available for many roles
• Wide variety of roles tailored to individual interests
• Dedicated staff contact for personalised support