A new training programme for breast clinicians developed by the Association of Breast Clinicians (ABC) and Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) with support from the NBIA and Health Education England (HEE) has been named as a finalist in the BMJ Awards 2020.
The three-year Breast Clinician Credential programme will create doctors trained in breast imaging, clinical examination and genetic risk. It is part of a national programme which aims to address some of the workforce shortages across breast screening, diagnosis and treatment services.
The Breast Clinician Credential programme started in August 2019, with ten posts in England. It will initially be run as a national pilot, hosted by NHS breast units with links to radiology training programmes. The goal is to standardise the training pathway for doctors from a variety of clinical backgrounds, with a robust curriculum and evidenced based outcomes at its core.
Commented Dr Caroline Parkin, Consultant Breast Radiologist at Wythenshawe Hospital and a member of the NBIA programme management team: “We are delighted that the pioneering work that underpins the Breast Clinician Credential Pilot has been shortlisted for a BMJ award. Years of innovation and collaboration between the RCR, ABC, NBIA and HEE made this initiative possible.
“Recruitment to the specialty has been bolstered, excellent training standards have been achieved and our first cohort of trainees is progressing well. Congratulations to everyone whose hard work made this initiative worthy of shortlisting. We look forward to the awards ceremony and wish everyone good luck.”
Laura Roberts, Director of Skills Development and Participation at Health Education England, said: “We are delighted to hear the pilot Breast Clinician Credential Programme has been named as a finalist in the BMJ Awards 2020. This is well deserved and, should the pilot prove successful, it will serve to address shortages across breast screening, diagnosis and treatment services as part of a wider national plan.”
The Breast Clinician Credential is one of six projects shortlisted in the Women’s Health Team category of the awards. The winners will be announced on Wednesday 22nd April at the Park Plaza, Westminster.