Appeal for new breast imaging training facility
By Gemma Raw
Manchester Foundation Trust Charity and Prevent Breast Cancer have teamed up to raise £3.2 million to build a new state-of-the-art training centre for breast cancer professionals. Forming an extension to the existing Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, the new academy will play a key role in training specialist NHS breast imaging staff, including mammographers, radiographers and clinicians.
The Build to Beat Breast Cancer appeal has been launched as part of the National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA) initiative, which aims to provide a range of solutions to address the severe workforce issues faced in the delivery of breast imaging services across the country. The NBIA is funded by Health Education England, hosted by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and works in collaboration with NHS England & Improvement, the Royal College of Radiologists, the Society and College of Radiographers, the Association of Breast Clinicians, the British Society of Breast Radiology, Breast Cancer Now and Prevent Breast Cancer.
Major challenges
Increased demand for breast imaging services has resulted in a shortage of skilled professionals working in mammography jobs. In addition, because of restrictions and additional pressures on the NHS, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic there have been 1.5 million fewer breast screening appointments carried out. It's estimated that 12,000 people could be living with undiagnosed breast cancer.
As well as offering extensive training facilities, the new centre will enable an extra 13,000 patients to be seen each year, as well as offering extra capacity for research into breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
"Even before the coronavirus crisis, many breast services were struggling to diagnose and treat people as quickly as we would want, and the pressure on breast imaging was a big part of this," said Dr Mary Wilson, consultant breast radiologist and NBIA lead. "Unless we act now and create a building in which to train staff, we will be unable to meet the increased demands over the coming months and years, and more lives will be lost to this disease."
Funding band boost
Earlier this year, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IATE) revised the funding band for training of professionals to work in diagnostic and therapeutic radiography roles. It's hoped that this will encourage more higher education organisations to provide degree apprenticeships in radiography.
The Secretary of State accepted IATE's recommendation that the training standard should be at band 27, which has an upper limit of £24,000.
Maria Reynolds, Diagnostic Radiographer Degree Apprenticeship Trailblazer Chair for the Society of Radiographers (SoC), was optimistic that the new funding band would have a positive effect: "I hope this means we'll see improved access to radiography degrees, both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography, for our existing workforce as well as those with life experience and care skills in our local population who wish to develop their careers, but need the financial support to achieve this that employers can provide via apprenticeships, which in turn will enrich as well as increase their workforce."
To make a donation, register your interest or get involved in the Build to Beat Breast Cancer appeal visit the Manchester Foundation Trust Charity or Prevent Breast Cancer websites.
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