UHNM’s Imaging and Training Academy Recognised as Centre of Excellence for CT Colonography Training

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s (UHNM) Imaging and Training Academy has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for CT Colonography training by the National CT Colonography Academy.

The award comes as part of the pioneering National CT Colonography Training and Accreditation Programme, developed at UHNM in collaboration with St Mark’s Hospital, London. 

Launched nationally in 2022, the programme is the first of its kind in the UK and aims to enhance expertise in CT Colonography across the NHS, helping to improve early detection of bowel cancer.

The programme is set to train up to 500 radiographers and radiologists by the end of 2025. 

Holly Woolliscroft, advanced practitioner radiographer at UHNM, said: “UHNM has been at the forefront of CT Colonography training since 2012, when we became the first Trust in the country to deliver accredited training. This latest recognition cements our role as one of only five centres nationally leading this vital work.

“Being recognised as a Centre of Excellence demonstrates to students, staff and patients alike that we deliver the highest possible standard of both CT Colonography training and clinical service.  

“For staff it is a pat on the back for hard work well done, but also serves as a permanent reminder of the level we strive for and why we aim high. For patients it shows that they are in good hands, a reassurance at a time of great uncertainty and no small amount of worry to know that the examination will be of excellent quality."

The recognition was marked by a plaque unveiling ceremony, led by Dr Simon Constable, UHNM Chief Executive.

Dr Constable said: “This is a proud and important milestone that highlights the power of innovation, collaboration, and teamwork in transforming patient care.

“Our role as a Trust is not just to provide excellent care locally, but to set a national standard so that everyone has fair and equal access to high-quality diagnosis and treatment.

“This programme is a shining example of how partnership working makes that ambition real and aligns with our strategy to focus more on prevention and earlier detection of disease. I want to pay tribute to the dedication of the multi-professional team who made this achievement possible.”

The programme, made possible thanks to funding from NHS England and colon cancer charity 40TUDE, consists of two modules covering both in-person examination techniques and online interpretation.

Dr Ingrid Britton, consultant gastrointestinal radiologist at UHNM who helped to develop the programme said: “The accreditation underlines the fact that UHNM’s CT Colonography training and service delivery has been open to external scrutiny for over 12 years since its launch, and has sustained high standards for the duration.”