Wales Diagnostic Radiology Rotation For Specialist Registrars

(Under the auspices of Wales Deanery)

The All Wales Higher Training Programme in Diagnostic Radiology is accredited by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and delivers a five-year structured training programme leading to the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).  Structured training for FRCR is undertaken as part of the 5 year programme.

There are 2 separate schemes, based in the South and North of Wales.  Core training will take place in either the South Wales or North Wales Hospitals for the first 3 years.  There will be training opportunities leading to specialisation in years 4 and 5.

Entry Criteria

Minimum criteria specified by the RCR, successful completion Foundation Year Two (or equivalent) at the time of commencement of training.  Please see Royal College of Radiologists web site for personal specification.

Training Programme

The training programme lasts for five years and starts in August of each year. The programme is based on the Structured Training in Clinical Radiology document and curriculum  from 2010, and approved by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (now GMC). Each attachment on the rotation has an appraisal process, at the beginning of which training goals are agreed with the trainee in conjunction with a named trainer.  This is an ongoing process designed to address all aspects of training.  A record of training is kept via the RCR StR personal eportfolio and logbook.  Each trainee has an annual assessment (ARCP) to confirm satisfactory progress through the training scheme.

The First FRCR examination (physics and anatomy) is taken in March of the first StR year.  The Final FRCR examination is taken in two parts, 2A and 2B.  The FRCR Part IIA is a modular examination (6 modules in total).  These modules can be taken at any stage, provided the First FRCR examination has been passed and the Programme Director gives permission.  There are two sittings in March and September.  Candidates will need to have completed 3 years of training prior to their initial attempt at Part B of the Final FRCR examination, sat in October and April. The Training Programme is supervised by the Radiology School Board for the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.  On satisfactory completion of 5 years of accredited training, the trainee will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

The Programme Director and Head of Training for the South Wales rotation is Dr Sara Harrison, based at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and Dr Conor Corr for the North Wales rotation, based at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.  The RCR Regional Postgraduate Adviser and acting Head of School is Dr Gareth Davies based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant.

The South Wales Diagnostic Radiology Rotation

The South Wales scheme is well established with structured teaching and training. We have been a 5 year training scheme for over 20 years and have adapted to the changes over the recent years with minimal disruption of training as shown by continuing success rates at examinations.  The scheme has excellent feedback from trainees via the GMC survey and many trainees settle locally. We see this as a testament to their quality of life in the area and work patterns.  The region is based around the Welsh capital, Cardiff. This is a vibrant and multicultural city with all the benefits of a large city without too many draw backs. The coast, mountains and major transport routes are all near by, to satisfy most social activities.

The first 2 months of Specialist Registrar (StR) training is based at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) and consists of a formal teaching programme covering the First FRCR syllabus and general introduction to radiological imaging techniques. During the rest of the first year instruction is also given in the basic sciences relevant to clinical radiology i.e. radiological anatomy, radiography and radiological techniques. 

From January of the first year and for the second and third StR years, lectures and tutorials are given with block teaching in the system-based specialities. Three month rotations during these three years will allow clinical and practical skills to be acquired in all specialities of clinical radiology as outlined in the RCR curriculum. The teaching in the fourth/fifth years will be flexible to meet the needs of the individual and will reflect the individual SpR's special interest where possible.  Trainees have a contractual obligation to participate in clinical governance and audit. Research is actively encouraged and supported.

In the fourth and fifth years special interest rotations will be offered to meet trainees special interest training needs and will include rotations to other hospitals participating in the scheme. The pattern of training requested by the individual trainee will have to be approved by the Training Programme Committee and the Radiology School Board.  A separately funded Year 5/6 trainee in Radionuclide Radiology/Nuclear Medicine is also based at UHW.

The North Wales Diagnostic Radiology Rotation

(In conjunction with the Mersey and Wales Deaneries)

The north Wales scheme is based in the three hosptials that make up the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Glan Clwyd Hospital, and Ysbyty Gwynedd (Bangor).  The trainees also spend at least 1 year in Liverpool. 

The North Wales radiology rotation scheme is noted for it's very positive feedback from the trainees, and although a young scheme, has consistently produced good exam results, good PMETB survey results, and successful consultants.  It also offers the chance to live in beautiful North Wales, whle being within easy access to Liverpool and Manchester.

Trainees rotate through each of the three North Wales hospitals on a six-monthly basis for two years.  The third year is spent in Liverpool.

3 months in the Royal University Hospital3 months in Alder Hey Children's Hospital3 months in Walton Centre for Neurology3 months in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Teaching in the first two years is by means of a day-release scheme in Liverpool.  The teaching programme covers all aspects of diagnostic radiology, including detailed physics and anatomy preparation prior to the FRCR I examination, after approximately 8 months of the first year.  There is also a dedicated ultraosund training course coordinated in Liverpool  which is completed in the first two years of training.  Local physics revision lectures are provided also. 

Trainees are eligible to sit for the FRCR Part IIA examinationafter they successfully complete the FRCR I.  This examination comprises of six different modules, covering the entire syllabus. Candidates may sit as many modules as they wish per sitting.  In the third year, the emphasis shifts to preparation for the FRCR Part IIB examination, which candidates may not attempt until they have completed a minimum of three years training.  FRCR Part IIB teaching occurs both in North Wales and Liverpool.

Throughout the five years of training, there are also regular Monday morning teaching sessions held on a rotational basis in the three North Wales hospitals – senior (post FRCR) trainees are encouraged to participate in the teaching of the junior SpRs during these sessions.

All specialites are catered for throughout the first three years to conform with the RCR curriculum.  In the fourth and final years the trainee will concentrate on their sub-specialty interests.  Trainees are expected to identify areas for their subspecialty training, and careers advice and counselling are available to aid this process.  The sub specialty training can often be delivered in North wales but we also have close links with both the Mersey and South Wales schemes. 

Training in NHS management is also provided, both locally and via Deanery-approved courses.  Study leave is provided to cover the year 1 and 2 day-release teaching.   Trainees are also encouraged to attend approved postgraduate courses and scientific meetings.  Funding for these is organised by individual Trusts and may be limited by budgetary constraints.

Trainees become actively involved in both clinical audit and research, and are encouraged to present their work at both local and national meetings.  Professor Michael Rees acts as the research lead for the rotation.  Trainees are also involved with teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Hospitals Participating in the training Programme

Hospitals participating in the South Wales Higher Training programme are:-

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Local Health Board Cwm Taf Local Health Board Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board and Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny Abertawe Bro Morganwg LHB Hywel Dda Local Health BoardUniversity Hospital of Wales and Llandough Hospitals, Cardiff

Singleton and Morriston Hospitals, Swansea Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Nr Llantrisant Royal Gwent & St Woolos Hospitals, Newport Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli

Hospitals participating in the North Wales Higher Training programme are:-

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor Wrexham Maelor Hospital Glan Clwyd Hospital

General Information

Main Conditions of Service: The post is covered by the Terms and Conditions of Service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England and Wales) and the General Whitley Council Terms and Conditions of Service as amended from time to time at the StR grade. The hours worked will be in accordance with statutory obligations but, due to changing work patterns, will not necessarily all be within the hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. It will be possible for a post holder to apply for less than full time (LTFT) training if he/she so desires by application to the Postgraduate Dean. The Training Programme is supervised by the Radiology School for the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.  

Job Limitation: At no time should you work at a level exceeding your competence.  All medical staff therefore have a responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they have any concerns regarding this or if they feel that they are not competent to perform a particular duty.

Teaching: Informal teaching of undergraduate medical students by junior staff in radiology is expected at all times with more formal teaching sessions depending on the undergraduate programmes operating in the various rotations. Formal teaching sessions in radiological anatomy to pre-clinical students takes place in the first year of training.  It is a normal part of the duties of these posts to instruct junior radiological staff working under supervision.

Clinico-Radiological and Multi Disciplinary Meetings: During each of the rotations in the training programme, there are frequent clinical radiological and multi disciplinary meetings and trainees will be expected to attend and participate in as many of these meetings as possible.

Research: Research is encouraged throughout the training period. Laboratory and computing facilities are available, and study/research time is allocated in each rotation. Bursaries are available to assist junior staff to present papers at international meetings abroad.

Administration: StRs are expected to take part in everyday organisation of the work in a radiology department, attend clinical governance meetings and undertake mandatory training. Elected junior representatives sit on the Radiology School Board and the Junior Forum of the RCR.

Management Training: Regional courses are organised by the Department of Postgraduate Studies, University of Cardiff.

Study Leave: StRs are encouraged to attend approved postgraduate courses and scientific meetings. The Training Programme Committee selects and approves the courses that are appropriate to attend, such as those organised by the RCR. StRs require the permission of supervising Consultants (College/Clinical Tutor) and the Head of the Training Programme to attend courses or meetings in the UK. Financial limits are imposed by the local postgraduate organisation.  Attendance at non-approved courses may be at the StR's own expense and taken as annual leave. There is also access to all postgraduate meetings and activities in the various hospitals participating in the training scheme.

Prolonged Leave of Absence: Approval for a prolonged leave of absence (e.g. for training in other centres in the UK) and long unpaid leave (e.g. overseas fellowship) is at the discretion of the Radiology School Board in the first instance. The Radiology School Board reserves the right to advise on the appropriateness of the request which will then be forwarded to the Director and Dean of Postgraduate Studies. 

Library Facilities: Junior staff are encouraged to use the main Duthie Library in the College of Medicine, UHW, Cardiff. Small medical libraries are established in all the hospitals participating in this Training Programme. The University Hospital of Wales Department of Diagnostic Radiology provides a reading room, a small book library, and a film library. Computer facilities are available for E-learning.

Additional Duty Hours: On-call commitments currently commence in the second year of training. The duty StRs are responsible for all radiological examinations requested and approved during the periods of emergency service for which they are on duty. They will ensure that no special examinations are carried out without their specific agreement. The hours of duty are from 5.00 pm until 9.00 am the following morning each weekday, and for 24 hours from 9.00 am on Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holidays. StRs will not be resident in the hospital. It is the duty StR's responsibility to contact the consultant on call if necessary.  All work will be checked by the supervising consultant as needed. The out of hour commitment, together with the banding details, will be specified in advance in your contracts of employment, by each participating Trust.  All posts are EWTD and New Deal compliant.

Conditions of Employment: As per person specification.

1. Successful completion of Foundation Year Two training (or equivalent) prior to commencing training.  A minimum of 1-year post registration clinical experience is necessary
2. Satisfactory pre-employment health screening.
3. Satisfactory immigration status and visa.

You must provide us with evidence which is acceptable to the Occupational Health Department, that you are not a carrier of Hepatitis B. This would normally be a pathology report from a laboratory in the UK or alternatively a report from another NHS Occupational Health Department within the UK. It will not be possible to confirm this appointment unless this condition is met. Before starting work you may therefore need to attend the Occupational Health Department for assessment. If this is not possible, then you may need to attend on the day you start work.

Accommodation: This is a non-resident appointment (no accommodation is available).

Social Facilities: Junior staff on the South Wales Scheme are entitled to membership of the UHW Sports and Social Club which includes facilities for squash, badminton, swimming, gym etc., together with a large social club.

For further information contact:

• Dr Sara Harrison, Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW (South Wales Training).
• Sara.harrison@wales.nhs.uk
  
  
• Dr Conor Corr, Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Croesnewydd Road
• Wrexham, LL13 7TD (North Wales Training).   Conor.corr@wales.nhs.uk
  
  
• Dr Gareth Davies, Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Ynysmaerdy, Llantrisant, CF72 8XR (Regional Adviser, Chair of Radiology School Board).
• Gareth.davies3@wales.nhs.uk.

The South Wales Hospitals

University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff

This hospital has over 980 beds and shares the campus with the University of Wales College of Medicine, the Dental Hospital and School, the Institute of Health Care Studies, Tenovus, the Sir Geraint Evans Heart Institute and other specialists units, residential accommodation etc. A new Children's Hospital for Wales is in its final phase of development.

Services include regional cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology units, bone marrow transplant unit, subregional neurology and neurosurgery units, paediatric surgery, neonatology, units in vascular surgery, breast surgery, nephrology, urological surgery and renal transplantation. Radiological workload is approximately 235,639 patient attendances per annum.

Consultant establishment: 29 NHS Consultants with sub-speciality interests including: Interventional, Neuro, Nuclear Medicine, MSK and Paediatric. There is an academic department lead by Professor Tudor Griffith.

Junior staff establishment: 21 StRs. 1 fellow in nuclear medicine.

Radiographer establishment: 96 WTE Radiographers.

Nursing establishment: 12 nurses, (including 2 sisters, 8 qualified and 2 non qualified ).

Other staff: There are supporting clerical/secretarial, radiographer helpers and portering staff dedicated to the department.

Equipment includes general radiography, fluoroscopy (2 rooms), 2 dedicated vascular interventional suites, 8 ultrasound rooms with Doppler facilities, 3 MDCT scanners (64 slice), 3 Gamma cameras including SPECT with CT and two MR scanners (IGE 1.5T).  PET CT scanner opened 2010. Virtually all radiological techniques are carried out in this department, including interventional neuroradiology and EVAR.  Radiologists are involved in endoscopic services, including ERCP.  The department is 'filmless' with an Agfa CR system and digital dictation. 

There is open access for GP's and "instant" reporting system. Consultants have sub-specialty interests and managerial responsibilities.

There are regular audit meetings and numerous clinico-radiological and MDT meetings.

The Part 1 FRCR course takes place in this department. Also tutorials for Final FRCR and the postgraduate lecture programme (in purpose-built Seminar Room).  There is a purpose-built University department which includes a seminar room, reading room and library, film library, computing room and offices.

College Tutors: Dr Alison Evans / Dr Audrey Yong

Llandough Hospital, Penarth, Nr. Cardiff

This is a 500-bed hospital 6 miles to the west of the University Hospital of Wales and serving the west of Cardiff, Penarth, Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan.  There are approximately 82,265 radiology patient attendances per annum.

Consultant establishment:  4 Llandough based Consultant Radiologists with particular interests in thoracic imaging, colorectal disease and gynaecological oncology.  In addition there are a number of visiting consultants covering GI imaging, orthopaedic imaging and CT.

Junior staff complement:  2 StRs.

Specialist units within the hospital include thoracic medicine, colorectal surgery, gastroenterology, breast surgery and orthopaedic surgery. An ambulatory orthopaedic assessment unit with MRI and ultrasound facilities is on site.

Facilities in the main department include general radiography, 2 multipurpose digital screening rooms with vascular imaging capacity, a MDCT scanner, ultrasound, nuclear imaging and mammography. Training is broad based with exposure to all techniques practised within the hospital and opportunity to perform radiologically guided lung and mediastinal biopsies. Tutorials are available and there is access to the departmental film collection. There is a regular hospital postgraduate lecture programme.

College Tutor:- Dr Haydn Adams

Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport

This is a 940-bed hospital. There are approximately 142,244 radiology patient attendances per annum. It is part of the Glan Hafren NHS Trust which also incorporates Nevill Hall Hospital.

Consultant establishment:  14 Consultant Radiologists, each with a particular interest.

Junior staff establishment:  2 StRs.

The hospital covers all specialities apart from neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

Facilities in the department include general radiography, 2 digital screening rooms a dedicated vascular and interventional room, a suite of 4 ultrasound rooms in the main department, nuclear imaging, 2 MDCT scanners  and a 1.5 Tesla MRI unit.  Wide range of diagnostic and interventional techniques are practised, providing good practical experience under supervision. There is a mammography unit and the department runs a busy symptomatic breast service which is also involved in the treatment of screened patients.  The department has been fully PACS since December 2006.

Regular clinico-radiological meetings covering all specialities.  There is an active postgraduate centre with good library facilities. One to one tutorials are provided and participation in audit is expected. Senior SpRs are encouraged to participate in undergraduate teaching.

College Tutor:- Dr Jenny Haslam

Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny

Nevill Hall Hospital is part of Aneurin Bevan Health Board, formally Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust which was formed in April 1999.  The radiology directorate of ABHB acts as one large department serving the whole population of Gwent and south east Powys.  Nevill Hall is a modern District Hospital which opened in 1969 and has 421 beds.  All the sites in the ABHB radiology directorate are linked to an integrated PACS system.

Acute medical care is provided by a range of physicians with special interest including gastroenterology, cardiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, and chest medicine.  The acute Surgical Unit includes colorectal, upper GI / biliary and orthopaedic units.  Other specialities with acute intake include obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatrics and haematology. There is a busy A&E department, ITU and CCU. There are visiting consultants in ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology, neurology, psychiatry, child psychiatry, oncology, facio-maxillary and plastic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and clinical genetics. The radiological workload is approximately 90,000 patient attendances (115,000 examinations per annum).  The departments have a total of 19 rooms.

• Consultant establishment:                  5 Full time at NHH
                                                                    4 Part time at NHH
• Associate specialist:                           1 Part time
• Junior Staff establishment:                 1 StR.
• Radiographer establishment:             52
• Nursing establishment:                       4
• Assistant Practitioners:                        3
• Radiography helpers:                          14
• Secretaries:                                            4
• Clerical staff:                                          6

In NHH the equipment includes:

• Fuji PACS (Managed service contract)
• 3 general rooms
• 2 Siemens screening rooms
• 1 mammography unit
• 4 portable units  and 2 image intensifiers
• Toshiba Aquillion 64 slice CT scanner
• Siemens Avanto 1.5T MR scanner
• GE Millienium Nuclear medicine scanner
• 4 Toshiba Aplio ultrasound scanners

There are clinico-radiology meetings every day.  There is an active well-equipped Education Centre.  Clinical Audit is encouraged and presentations at quarterly Directorate Audit meetings are undertaken by the StR with consultant assistance.  The StR is encouraged to participate in the above and takes a leading role in the teaching programme for the junior staff and medical students. 

College Tutor:- Dr Nicholas Cross

Singleton hospital, Swansea

Singleton Hospital (550 beds; 85,000 examinations/annum) lies in Singleton Park, Swansea, near the University and the seashore.  The South West Wales cancer centre is based here with radiotherapy/oncology services on site.  Services provided also include general medicine and surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, ENT and GU medicine.

Consultant establishment:  3 Consultant Radiologists based at Singleton (with 9 additional visiting Consultants).

Junior staff establishment:  1 StR.

The Department is equipped with 320 slice CT, Digital Screening x2, Ultrasound, Endoscopic Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine and MRI 3T GE scanner.

College Tutor:- Dr Su Vaughan

Morriston Hospital, swanseea

Morriston Hospital (780 beds; 85,000 examinations/annum) lies on the outskirts of Swansea, near the M4 and provides services for accident and emergency, general medicine, general surgery including vascular, urology, and orthopaedics.  Morriston is a subregional centre for neurology, neurosurgery, maxillo-facial surgery, cardiac surgery, nephrology and renal dialysis and is a regional centre for burns and plastic surgery.

Consultant establishment:  17 Consultant Radiologists, each with a particular sub-specialty interest, including 3 neuroradiologists.   (6 consultants also have sessions in Neath/Port Talbot Hospital).

Junior staff establishment:  2 SpRs.

The Radiology Department is equipped with MRI (IGE Signa 1.5 Tesla Unit), 320 slice CT plus 64 slice CT, Digital Subtraction Angiography, a Gamma camera and there is a large ultrasound Department.

College Tutor:- Dr Peter Chowdhury

Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Nr. Llantrisant

This is a District General Hospital of 500 beds carrying out approximately 80,000 examinations per annum.

Consultant establishment:  11 Consultant Radiologists.

Junior staff establishment:  1 StR.

Equipment in the Department includes general radiography, general fluoroscopy, digital fluoroscopy for interventional procedures and angiography, ultrasonography including colour and power Doppler, nuclear imaging and CT. Special techniques performed include a wide range of interventional procedures. The SpR timetable provides an opportunity to work in all areas of the Department.  There is sufficient flexibility within the work programme to allow for the development of special interests. There is a well-stocked Departmental Library with up-to-date bench books in all areas of imaging. There are clinico-radiological meeting in all the major disciplines. The SpR is encouraged to attend and to contribute to the Audit and Directorate meetings.

The Department is equipped with computed radiography, PACS and digital archiving allowing soft copy reporting.  There are 2 general-purpose fluoroscopy rooms, both digital, one with a C arm.  There is a dedicated digital vascular suite, conventional mammography, a 3-room ultrasound suite, 64 Multi Slice CT, MRI and a dual headed Gamma camera.

College Tutor:- Dr Rhian Rhys

Prince Phillip Hospital, Llanelli

This is a 204 bed District General Hospital.  Patient attendances 62,110, (74,022 total examinations per annum).

Consultant establishment:  4 Consultant Radiologists, each with a sub specialty interest.

Junior staff establishment:  1 StR. 

Facilities within the department include general radiography, PACS allowing soft copy reporting, fluoroscopy, vascular/interventional room, Mammography and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis ,ultrasound, CT and MRI.  A wide range of diagnostic and interventional techniques are practised.  Regular clinico-radiological meetings covering all specialties.  There is an active Postgraduate department with excellent IT facilities.

College Tutor:-  Dr Ali Moalla

Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend

This is a 564 bed District General Hospital, approximately 123,997  patient attendances, 136,425  examinations per annum.

Consultant establishment:  11 Consultant Radiologists, each with a sub specialty interest who work cross site at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. approximately 73,411  patient attendances, 81,782  examinations per annum.

Junior staff establishment:  1 StR.

Facilities in the department include fully digital general radiography rooms including digital tomosynthesis, digital fluoroscopy with a dedicated recently installed vascular and interventional room .  Six ultrasound rooms with full range of facilities including colour Doppler. 1.5 T MRI, 64 slice CT, endoscopy, dual head/CT gamma camera and digital mammography are also available within the Department. The Department is has a fully operational PACS and digital archiving system.  and  can provide opportunities in all aspects of general radiology. There is sufficient flexibility within the timetable to offer specialised training which may include some sessions at Neath Port Talbot Hospital (with consultant supervision).

The SpR has a dedicated reporting room which contains a well stocked general and cross sectional library.  There are regular clinico-radiological meetings and a state of the art Medical education centre, which includes extensive teleconferencing facilities, simulation suite and a clinical skills lab. SpRs are encouraged to attend these and Directorate governance meetings. Participation in departmental audit projects is expected. Regular teaching is undertaken pre fellowship.

College Tutor: - Dr Chris Goodwin

The North Wales Hospitals

Ysbyty Gwynedd (Bangor)

Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor serves a population of approximately 240,000.  The hospital is an acute District General Hospital with over 500 beds, providing a full range of services.  Further services are provided by the 120-bedded Llandudno hospital and a range of small community units.

The radiology department performs over 200,000 examinations a year, both in terms of diagnostic and interventional radiology.  There are currently 11 Consultant Radiologists in post, each of whom has a range of special interests.

The department is well equipped with PACS, 1.5 Tesla MR, 16-slice CT, dual-headed gamma camera and 3-D capable C-arm housed in a purpose built Interventional Radiology Suite.  All ultrasound equipment has recently been replaced.

As well as a full range of teaching materials in the department, including a full AiMS system, the hospital's education centre and library have been refurbished to a high standard, and a new clinical school has recently been opened.  The department participates in a number of clinico-radiological and multidisciplinary team meetings.

Junior staff establishment:    2-4 SpRs

College Tutor – Dr Alexandra Kraus

Breast Test Wales

Breast Test Wales was established in 1989.  The North Wales division is sited in a purpose built site in Llandudno and Wrexham and provides breast screening services to the whole of North Wales.

College Tutor – Dr Andy Gash

Wrexham Maelor Hospital

Wrexham provides secondary healthcare services to a catchment population of around 300,000 people living in Wrexham, Flintshire and some neighbouring areas in England and Central Wales.

The Wrexham Maelor Hospital is a 659 bed acute district general hospital with a further 44 bed psychiatric complex on site. It is generally regarded as a friendly hospital with an active undergraduate and postgraduate programme and an inviting postgraduate centre.

Chester is the nearest city 12 miles away, with easy access via the motorway network to Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. Tertiary referrals are made to specialist institutions in these cities, as well as to Cardiff. Trains run from Wrexham to Chester, Cardiff and the Midlands. Intercity routes to London and the rest of the UK are best accessed from Crewe. Manchester airport provides connections with the rest of the world.

The busy department (145,000 patient visits per year, including community hospitals) provides an excellent base for practical training in radiology. There are currently 10.5 whole time consultants in post and a planned establishment of 11.5. Consultants have specialist interests in thoracic, vascular and interventional, oncology, gastrointestinal, urological, MSK, gynaecology, head and neck, paediatric and breast radiology, along with nuclear medicine. There are numerous multidisciplinary clinical meetings in which radiology plays an active role. The department has PACS, 1.5 Tesla, 16 slice MDCT, SPECT-CT, fluoroscopy, 3-D and CT capable interventional room and ultrasound. medicine are provided with an office, and there is a good selection of useful current textbooks. There is a School of Radiography on this site.

Junior staff establishment:  2-4 SpRs.

College Tutor – Dr Sanjay Agarwal

Glan Clwyd Hospital

Glan Clwyd Hospital (526 acute beds) is an acute general hospital, which also houses the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, with Radiotherapy and Oncology services on site.  Services provided also include General Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, ENT and Maxillofacial surgery.  The sub-regional paediatric intensive care unit is sited at Glan Clwyd. 

There are a number of community hospitals situated along the North Wales coast and inland, which are linked to the Glan Clwyd Department by the Fuji PACS system.

Consultant Establishment:                 8 radiologists with particular interests, covering a wide range of sub-specialty areas.

Junior Staff Establishment: Up to 3 SpRs.

The Department is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including 64 slice CT, Digital screening, angiography, MRI scanner,  Gamma Camera, four Ultrasound rooms with state-of-the-art equipment (Aplios and Antaris), as well as general radiography  and screening rooms.   Endoscopy, including endoscopic ultrasound, are performed by the radiologist with a sub-specialty in this area. 

Weekly MDT meetings cover all specialties.  There is a new Post-graduate department link to the Clinical Medical School with excellent IT facilities. The library facilities have been awarded Class 1 accreditation with distinction by the University of Wales College of Medicine.  Within the radiology department there is access to the AIMS facility utilising the Kings' Archive, the Departmental museum is in the process of being digitised.

Clinical Tutor – Dr Phil Travis

The Merseyside Hospitals

 The Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

Liverpool University Hospital Site

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital was opened in October 1978 and is the major teaching hospital in the Mersey Region for the University of Liverpool.  In 1995, the merger with Broadgreen produced one of the largest acute provider Trusts in the country with 1260 in-patient beds.  It is a provider of clinical services in most of the main medical and surgical departments, many offering a service for tertiary referral from both within and outside the Mersey Region in addition to the local community.  There are very close ties with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Liverpool.  The clinical academic departments of the Faculty are situated on the same site as the gastroenterology, vascular surgery, renal transplantation, nephrology, head and neck oncology, haematology and nuclear medicine.  The Infectious Diseases department has recently moved to RLUH.

The main x-ray department consists of 14 rooms including Special Techniques Suite (2 rooms), with PACS installed in 2006.  There is a 16 slice and a single slice CT scanner. Two 1.5T Philips Intera MR scanners were installed in 2005. The regional assessment centre for breast imaging is based in the Linda McCartney Centre on the Royal Liverpool University Hospital site.  There is a 3-roomed X-ray Department in the Accident & Emergency Unit, which is being expanded and houses one of the CT scanners.  There is a busy Ultrasound Department with 4 rooms.  There are facilities for colour duplex imaging and transrectal imaging.

Consultant establishment:                  Consists of 15 WTE NHS consultants. 

Junior staff establishment:                 There are up to 14 SpRs, many on subspecialty attachments. 

The Clinical Lecturer in the University Department of Medical Imaging has their clinical sessions at RLUH.

The facilities for the trainees are good with a SpR coffee room, a conference room and a library/study area.  There is access to personal computers, the Internet and email.  There is a radiology teaching file on computer in the department (International Medical Multimedia AIMS 2.0).  The University film library is based in the RLUH Department and there is a collection of up to date reference books and major radiological journals.

There is a library within the new Education Centre, which has a good collection of journals and CD ROM literature search facilities.  The University Department of Medical Imaging with its extensive library and the Liverpool Medical Institution are a short walk away.

There are numerous clinico-radiological meetings representing most of the clinical specialties.  A Monday afternoon teaching session for SpRs has been introduced, with a blend of formal talks, an interesting films hour, film viewing sessions and a journal club.  All juniors attend this meeting and have no departmental commitment during teaching.

Research is encouraged within the department and there has been a consistent record of trainees presenting work at national and international meetings.  There are regular departmental audit meetings at which trainees often contribute projects.

College tutors - Dr Jonathan Evans

The Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

Department of Nuclear Medicine

This department is the lead tertiary referral centre for Nuclear Medicine in the Mersey Region.  It provides the regional radiopharmaceutical service.  There are four modern gamma cameras.

This post provides basic training exposure to diagnostic radionuclide imaging in years 1 to 3.  Dr Linda Smith is the Lead Consultant and Educational Supervisor.

Clinical tutor - Dr Linda Smith

Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust (Alder Hey)

Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust (Alder Hey) is a 340 bedded Paediatric Unit on the east side of the city.  It provides a general Paediatric service for the local population and regional referral services for Mersey and from North Wales.  The department provides a general paediatric radiology service together with paediatric cardiac radiology and Neuro-radiology (excluding angiography).

The main department has 5 X-ray rooms, ultrasound, CT and MRI and Nuclear Medicine.  A cardiac catheterisation lab in the cardiac suite serves both cardiology and general angiography.  The CT and Gamma Camera units have facilities for adult patients.  There are 3 posts, one being a Paediatric Fellowship. 

Training is provided in all aspects of general paediatric radiology and the Trainees are encouraged to attend the clinical meetings and the many clinico radiological conferences.  There is a large teaching museum and slide collection.  Time is available for study and for release to attend University departmental lectures.

College tutor - Dr Caren Landes

Walton Centre For Neurology & Neurosurgery NHS Trust

The Neurosciences Unit has been transferred to the Aintree Hospital site and 1 SpR is allocated to the Neuroradiology Department for 3 months.  There is a further post for training within Neuroradiology at sub-specialty level.

The department offers state of the art Siemens Bi-plane angiography and interventional suite. There is an additional agiography room.  There is a multislice CT scanner and two MRI scanners (1.5 T GE and 3.0 T Philips).The post offers an opportunity to be exposed to both the basic and the latest interventional and imaging techniques in neuroradiology.

College tutor - Dr Kumar Das