The National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA) has been making significant strides in attracting and developing breast imaging specialists in the UK. Through its innovative Breast Radiology Fellowship Programme, the NBIA is successfully addressing workforce shortages to help improve breast cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment and research.
The Breast Radiology Fellowship Programme was developed in collaboration with leading breast units across the country. Funded by NHS England, the one-year fellowship provides a new route into breast radiology for both UK-based radiologists and those from overseas. The programme aims to:
Boost the number of breast radiologists: By recruiting and training talented fellows, the NBIA contributes to the growth of breast radiology specialists in the UK.
Develop leaders, educators, and researchers: The fellowship equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to become future leaders in breast imaging.
Five New Fellows join the ranks
The NBIA has recently recruited six new fellows, bringing the total number of breast radiology fellows appointed since the programme’s launch three years ago to 41. These fellows will begin their training at various breast units across England, helping to address workforce shortages in the NHS. The host units include:
• Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
• Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
• Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
• University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
The newly appointed fellows have been welcomed from the UK, Turkey, Syria, India and Sri Lanka. Their diverse backgrounds and prior experiences enrich breast radiology practice in the UK.
Fellows benefit from comprehensive training in breast radiology, covering all aspects of symptomatic and screening breast imaging. This training is further supplemented by:
• Specialist-Led NBIA study blocks
• Academic study days
• Online learning, including access to NBIA’s e-learning for Health resources
Commenting on the success of the Fellowship programme, Dr Soujanya Gadde, the NBIA lead for the fellowship programme, said:
“Only three years since its inception, this fellowship programme is already well established and is highly regarded at a national and international level. A high application rate to these sought after posts, an increasing number of host sites at every recruitment round, and the keenness to subsequently recruit these NBIA fellows into the host site consultant pool are a testament to the huge success of this fellowship programme.”
The benefits extend beyond the fellows themselves. Host breast units gain key members for their multidisciplinary teams, providing timely diagnosis and treatment services to patients. Of the 28 fellows who have already completed the programme, 21 have taken up posts at their training hospitals or in other breast units. This is particularly crucial as breast units nationwide work hard to address post-pandemic service delivery challenges and significant shortages in the breast radiology workforce.
Find out more about the NBIA Fellowship programme.