A collaboration to increase ultrasound training across Scotland has been announced as an “innovative” programme set to play a crucial role in delivering on the NHS Scotland Radiology Recovery Plan.

A joint effort from the NHS Scotland Academy, Scottish government, the Scottish Radiology Transformation Programme and Glasgow Caledonian University, the National Ultrasound Training Programme will train Scotland’s next generation of  sonographers.

Caroline Handley, Diagnostics Service Manager for NHS Golden Jubilee, says the new programme is looking to lower the waiting times for patients and reduce pressure across NHS health boards, while ensuring staff are effectively supported in this upskilling process:

“The demand for ultrasound examinations currently exceeds capacity across NHS Scotland.

“The establishment of a National Ultrasound Training Programme is a really exciting new approach for training sonographers. This new venture will ensure practical training is available to those who need it without interrupting existing ultrasound services.”

Ms Handley explained that patients will benefit from a “larger number of sonographers being trained each year”, increasing the capacity for ultrasounds in NHS Scotland over the long-term.

In March, Public Health Scotland (PHS) reported that 120,164 people were awaiting a radiology test in Scotland, showing an increase of 12.3% compared to December 2021.

PHS also registered an increase in the proportion of patients waiting for more than 13 weeks for a radiology test, from 15.8% in December 2021 to 21.9% this March. The report highlighted NHS health board concerns about ultrasounds specifically:

‘Several boards have reported additional challenges in delivering this service. These include staff sickness, leave, recruitment difficulties and an increase in demand for radiology services from unscheduled care.’

NHS Lanarkshire reported the highest proportion of its patients waiting more than 26 weeks for a non-obstetric ultrasound at 32.5%.

Increased waiting times can lead to delayed diagnosis and worsening condition, particularly for cancers, say clinicians and charities urging the government to address the workforce crisis. Improved staffing to support early diagnosis was called for as increases in cancer incidence via emergency presentations and cases of late-stage cancer were reported earlier this year.

Karen Wilson, Deputy Chief Executive (Clinical) and Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions at NHS Education for Scotland, says:

“This national programme offers real potential to improve access for patients whilst providing excellent development opportunities in transforming roles for radiographers and those who have a role in facilitating learning.”

Trainees will be able to integrate theory and practice throughout the programme to build their clinical skills, with allocated clinical experts and “dedicated mentorship” facilitating protected learning time.

Recently the government announced £10m extra funding to reduce cancer treatment waits, highlighting a focus on training staff to “speed up the delivery of endoscopy, radiology and chemotherapy treatment.”

However, calls come from across the healthcare sector in Scotland as understaffing continues to affect mental health wards, and researchers overseeing allied health professionals have proposed training changes in the face of a growing student placement crisis.

Greg Thompson, National Programme Director at the Scottish Radiology Transformation Programme, says:

“The National Ultrasound Training Programme is a fantastic example of collaboration across NHS Boards, Higher Education Institutions and Scottish Government. Staff will benefit from a new approach to training, allowing them to progress in their careers."

NHS Scotland Academy says it will reach “even the most rural health boards with access to expert mentorship and training from experienced professionals”. It added that a collaborative approach offers trainees “state-of-the-art” facilities and hands-on experience to help them meet increasing radiology services demand.

Dr Diane Dickson, Head of Department Podiatry and Radiography, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), said such training opportunities are required to become an accredited sonographer:

“Securing suitable mentorship and protected training lists are a key challenge for our medical ultrasound trainees due to existing workforce pressures and competing demands.”

Read more: Camera endoscopy to be backed with AI; RCN: Patients and staff suffering due to shortages