The National Breast Imaging Academy has held our first ever dedicated workshop for admin and clerical staff working in the NHS Breast Screening Programme. Held at the NBIA training suite at the Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, the full-day event brought together colleagues from across the country to highlight the crucial contribution of administrative roles in delivering safe, efficient, and patient-centred breast screening services.
Attendees travelled from as far as Cambridge, the Midlands and the North East, representing a wide range of Trusts and breast screening programmes.
Administrative and clerical staff are the backbone of the breast screening pathway – coordinating appointments, managing data, communicating with patients, and supporting clinical teams behind the scenes. This workshop was designed to give these vital team members a deeper understanding of how their work fits into the bigger picture and to recognise their essential role in the national breast screening programme.
The engaging and interactive programme covered topics such as:
- the journey of a screening participant
- the structure of breast screening services
- patient pathways and outcomes
- the importance of communication and empathy.
Speakers were from across the multidisciplinary team including radiologists, a radiographer, nurse, pathologist and oncologist, along with a programme manager, and admin leads, all of whom shared insights into how collaborative working between clinical and non-clinical teams helps to deliver safe, timely, and equitable care.
The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with comments highlighting the value of the day and its delivery.
NBIA Programme Director Mary Wilson commented:
“We’re pleased our first national workshop for admin and clerical colleagues received such positive feedback. Their role is essential, and this event was all about acknowledging their expertise, sharing best practice, and helping everyone feel connected to the purpose of the breast screening programme – detecting cancer early and saving lives.”
Following the success of the workshop, the NBIA plans to run similar sessions in future as part of its commitment to building a strong, well-supported workforce across all areas of breast imaging.