This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the NBIA is pleased to reveal that a major milestone has been reached with the completion of the brand-new National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA) training facility at the Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital.
The project has been made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters of the Build to Beat Breast Cancer Appeal, jointly run by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity and Prevent Breast Cancer. Now the building is complete, work will begin fitting it out with the latest equipment. The purpose-built facility will then be ready to enable the NBIA to deliver more training and grow the breast imaging workforce the NHS urgently needs.
Commenting on the building completion, Nikki Barraclough, Chief Executive, Prevent Breast Cancer, said:
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, the vision for the National Breast Imaging Academy has become a reality. This is more than a building, it’s giving future breast imaging professionals the tools and training they need to detect breast cancer earlier and save more lives.”
“The NBIA was established to train the next generation of breast imaging professionals,” says Dr Mary Wilson, Consultant Breast Radiologist and NBIA Programme Lead. “This facility has been designed to provide much-needed space for training in a fully resourced clinical environment. We’re very grateful to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity and Prevent Breast Cancer and the Build to Beat Breast Cancer Appeal supporters.”
The new building includes two mammography rooms, two ultrasound rooms, a dedicated radiology reporting room and three consultation rooms.
These facilities will allow the NBIA to train a wide range of professionals, including mammographers, enhanced, advanced and consultant practitioners, breast clinicians, and radiologists.
“Every room has been planned with training in mind,” explains Dr Wilson. “Our trainees will learn on state-of-the-art equipment, alongside expert clinical mentors, in a clinical environment that reflects real practice.”
The UK faces a shortage of breast imaging staff, with high retirement rates and growing demand for services. Without action, screening and diagnostic capacity will struggle to keep pace with need.
The NBIA was set up in direct response to this challenge. Since 2018, it has delivered a wide range of workforce programmes, including apprenticeships and fellowships, that have already supported hundreds of new professionals into breast care services.
“This Academy provides a national focal point for addressing workforce shortages in breast imaging,” says Dr Wilson. “By expanding our training capacity here in Manchester, we can build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals to strengthen services across the NHS.”
While its primary role is training, the new facility will also support up to 13,000 additional mammograms per year across Greater Manchester and provide vital space for research into breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Kathy Cowell OBE DL, Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said:
“We are incredibly proud to be hosting the National Breast Imaging Academy here at the Nightingale Centre. This world-class facility reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, education and outstanding patient care. It will play a vital role in developing the future breast imaging workforce and advancing breast cancer services both regionally and nationally.”
Fitting out the new Academy will commence this autumn and it is expected to welcome its first trainees and patients later this year.