UHNM Radiology to train radiographers across Midlands after securing £70k grant

University Hospital’s gastrointestinal (GI) radiology team have secured a £70k grant from Health Education England (HEE) to train radiographers across the Midlands in CT Colonography (CTC).

CTC is a test which uses two and three-dimensional scans to look for cancer and pre-cancerous polyps in the large intestine.

45 radiographers from 14 hospitals will benefit from the rollout of the £340k programme which is set to enhance Radiographers’ skills in performing the diagnostic procedure.

Dr Ingrid Britton, Consultant Radiologist at UHNM, said: “We now know that CTC is just as accurate as a colonoscopy and it is absolutely essential that we ensure patients have access to this potentially lifesaving diagnostic procedure. Our team in Stoke had a head start as we first set up the service in 2005. It has now grown into one of the largest in the country following the amalgamation of Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital’s GI teams. The pandemic has created added pressure for endoscopy services and with these constraints growth in CTC capacity is now essential to support colorectal cancer services across the country.

“We are extremely proud to be able to have a share in equipping Radiographers with the knowledge and skills needed to provide this service.”

UHNM’s GI radiology team have taken an active lead in the promotion of CTC as a key investigative procedure. In 2012, they set up the first Post Graduate Certificate (PGC) in the country for people training in CTC.

They are also members of the steering group for the National Academy of CTC Training.