As the Breast Clinician Credential programme expands across the UK, 2023 marked a milestone with the first training placements launched in Wales, led by Public Health Wales Screening Services, in collaboration with the Credential Board for England.
Dr Namrah Iftikhar is among the first cohort of breast clinicians in Wales, training at Wrexham Maelor Hospital under the supervision of Consultant Radiologist, Dr Meena Powell. Dr Powell, a driving force behind the Welsh rollout, serves as both educational supervisor for the programme and clinical supervisor for breast clinicians rotating through radiology.
Dr Iftikhar contributes to a weekly screening assessment clinic, developing skills across clinical and imaging domains, which is part of a wider vision to create an integrated model of breast care in Wales.
Looking ahead, the team plans to launch one of Wales’ first dedicated Family History Clinics, with aspirations to establish a Chemoprevention Clinic. These developments aim to improve early identification and proactive care for women at increased risk of breast cancer – incorporating risk assessment, genetic counselling, and preventative strategies into local services.
Challenges such as the separation between screening and symptomatic services in North Wales, and the integration of clinical genetics into imaging training, make this work especially vital. The programme in North Wales is expected to serve as a model for other regions.
Dr Iftikhar’s training experience reflects how the breast clinician role is already adding value – building regional capacity, developing new services, and meeting the evolving needs of patients across Wales.