TPD
Dr Kate Hawtin
Subspecialties offered
UCLH provides an extensive range of acute and subspecialty training. Local subspecialty training opportunities include oncological, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, thoracic, paediatric, head & neck, gynaecological, gastrointestinal, breast and nuclear medicine. Interventional (body and vascular) radiology opportunities are wide ranging and subspecialty interventional radiology posts are available.
Further general acute and subspecialty exposure is gained through placements at regional district general hospitals and tertiary centres. UCH has a world renowned academic radiology department both within the imaging department at University College Hospital and at the Centre for Medical Imaging in UCL. Academic clinical fellow and clinical lecturer posts are integrated within the training scheme, and research opportunities are extensive.
Hospitals rotated through
University College London Hospital, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Whittington Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. All ST1 posts are based at UCLH. ST2-3 training comprises rotations through UCH and a selection of the affiliated district general and tertiary hospitals.
Overview of Core Training (ST1-3)
ST1:
Focus on development of general radiology skills and early subspecialty exposure in preparation for independent on-call and ultrasound and radiograph reporting.
ST2:
Rotations include: genitourinary (uroradiology), gastrointestinal (abdominal imaging), thoracic imaging and general imaging (with specific exposure to ultrasound and CT). Service commitments include fluoroscopy and acute desk duties, including protocolling of acute CT.
ST2-3: Rotations through regional hospitals and UCLH. Some speciality blocks are dependent upon rotation (e.g., paediatric radiology at GOSH), with others being chosen based on the learning needs of the trainee against the RCR curriculum after discussion with clinical and educational supervisors (e.g, whilst at a DGH).
Overview of Specialty Training (ST4-5)
| Application for subspecialty training in ST4-5 (ST4-6 for interventional radiology) is through the regional matching process. Although subspecialties offered at UCLH via matching may vary, these have included musculoskeletal, thoracic, oncological, head & neck, interventional, uro/urogynaecological, breast radiology and nuclear medicine. Training opportunities (eg. ultrasound lists, MDMs) will be discussed between the trainee and their clinical supervisor to ensure expected curriculum competencies are met. Preferred subspecialty sessions will be included in the weekly rota where possible, alongside service sessions. Trainees are supervised by subspecialty consultants, such as for reporting and procedures, and will have the opportunity to attend and participate in MDMs. |
On Call Commitments
UCLH:
UCLH is a large, busy acute hospital with a high volume of acute imaging and procedures. Overnight acute imaging is outsourced at UCLH but overnight on call is required during rotation at some of our regional hospitals. At UCH a registrar provides non-resident overnight cover in the rare case that the online link to the outsourcing provider fails.
The on-call rotas are fully compliant with the Junior Doctors’ contract. There are separate consultants covering on-call for general radiology and IR. There is in-hours separate neuroradiology cover.
ST1: Circa 1 in 5 weekdays (1000 to 1900), with no night or weekend on call.
ST2+: Circa 7 weekdays in 3 months (0800 to 1900) and up to 2 weekends in 3 months (0900 to 1900). One of the ST2+ trainees on the Acute Desk that day will also be “non-resident on-call”, being available to be on-site at UCLH to cover overnight emergency imaging in the unlikely event that the outsourcing link fails.
Regional Hospitals: Commitments vary but all on-call rotas are required to be compliant with the Junior Doctors’ contract.
Local Teaching
In addition to regional teaching, UCLH has an in-house consultant-provided weekly teaching rota which aims to cover topics appropriate to the level of the attending registrars. These are at 0800-0900 and 1300-1400 most days. An interesting cases session is also organised most weeks by the registrars to share studies that provide peer learning opportunities.
Additional teaching is provided in the lead up to FRCR exams. Ad hoc teaching on specific topics requested by registrars is also often provided, either by subspecialty consultants or senior registrars. Other educational opportunities beyond this and one-on-one reporting and scanning feedback include the morbidity and mortality meetings, audit meetings and radiology events and learning meetings.
Other information
UCLH NHS Trust comprises six central London hospitals and provides best-in-class acute and specialist services. We are a busy acute trust with world-leading research activities across our specialities. The radiology training scheme is a large programme, with 30 trainees. Our department has a large consultant body, covering a multitude of subspecialties as well as academic and educational interests. Our trainees enjoy exposure to a wide range of radiological subspecialities and our busy emergency department, acute medical and surgical services and outpatient services provide for both breadth and depth in experience. Our tertiary services also provide exposure to complex cases with the support of specialist consultant radiologists.