This month, the National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA), has launched a new e‑learning session designed to make breast imaging services more accessible, inclusive and equitable for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. Developed in partnership with Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), e‑Learning for Healthcare (eLfH) and NHS colleagues at St Georges National Breast Education Centre, the session is the first in a planned series exploring accessibility within screening and breast imaging services.
Working with Thomas Pocklington Trust – a national charity that strives to ensure blind and partially sighted people have the same key life chances as everyone else – the training has been shaped by people with lived experience of sight loss, including three women who share their personal stories throughout the session. Their contributions help illustrate what good support looks like in practice and highlights how small changes can make a significant difference to patient experience.
Breast screening is offered every three years to people registered female aged 50 -71, and early detection through mammography can be life‑saving. However, evidence shows that women with disabilities are significantly less likely to attend screening. For blind and partially sighted women, barriers can arise at every stage of the process – from inaccessible appointment letters to challenges navigating a screening environment, limited staff awareness, or previous negative experiences. Even when reasonable adjustments are available, they are not always offered because individual needs are not consistently recorded.
The new online session aims to support staff to understand and respond to these barriers with confidence. It explores the impact of sight loss, communication strategies, legal responsibilities, preparing the screening environment, and practical considerations such as sighted guiding, technique modification and supporting people who may feel anxious. A dedicated section features lived‑experience video stories, offering real insight into what helps, what doesn’t, and what compassionate, inclusive care looks like in practice.
Commenting on the launch of the new module, Dr Megan Bydder, Lead for the NBIA Online, said:
“The new session will be hosted on the NHS e‑Learning for Healthcare platform as part of the NBIA Online programme. We’re looking forward to the training being available as part of the induction for new breast imaging staff and we will be promoting it to existing teams and students across the country. It demonstrates what can be achieved when the NHS works closely with third‑sector partners and people with lived experience.”
Dr Bydder added:
“We hope this will be the first of several e‑learning sessions that help embed inclusive practice in breast imaging and screening and ensure that every person attending for breast imaging feels prepared, supported and welcomed.”
Charles Colquhoun, CEO of TPT said:
“Too often, blind and partially sighted people face unnecessary barriers when accessing routine healthcare, including breast screening. This new training module shows how relatively small, practical changes can make a big difference to someone’s experience. By working closely with the NHS, education partners and people with lived experience, this programme helps embed accessibility into everyday practice and whilst directly supporting our Make Health Accessible campaign by tackling barriers to vital healthcare.”
The training is available for registered users on the E-Learning for Healthcare – via a search for Making Breast Imaging Services Accessible for Blind and Visually-impaired People