INCREASING MULTIPROFESSIONAL ULTRASOUND EDUCATION IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND
By Samantha Anderson, East of England Imaging Academy
Objective:
In a bid to support an increase in ultrasound clinical education, Health Education England (HEE) were offering pump priming funding to the East of England in 2019. A proposal was developed in response to a rising shortage in the clinical sonographer workforce, against a backdrop of continuing increase in demand for ultrasound examinations.
Method:
Following business case approval, the main driver of the project was to expand the ultrasound training capacity across the East of England in a way that was responsive to local needs. The proposal featured several areas of improvement with the key feature being to fund the conversion of existing clinical rooms into dedicated ultrasound teaching facilities (including all equipment and resources as necessary) in two NHS provider sites, covering the northern and southern part of the region.
Many challenges resulted in a delayed start of the project locally however, focused ultrasound training is now offered to all imaging professionals and the wider workforce within the East of England.
Practice educators were appointed for a period of 24 months to support learners within the new space.
Results:
Approximately 2000 extra hours of ultrasound teaching per year has been offered due to the increase in placement capacity in 1 trust. Just some of the regional professionals who have benefitted from this service include student Sonographers, Radiology, Obstetric and Gynae, Emergency Department and Surgical trainees, Radiotherapists and Radiographers, Nurses and Medical students.
