Training Programme
The training programme is based on the expectation that the Specialist Trainees will make steady progress through their 5 years. Each year has a specific programme of seminars and practical experience; the details of each years’ programme is given in their section of the website, on the left hand menu.
Year 1:
Each trainee spends 6 months in North Bristol Trust (Southmead and Frenchay: NBT) and 6 months in University Hospitals Bristol Trust (UHBT).
First 3 months: physics and anatomy lectures covering the FRCR I exam syllabus, and practical experience of each radiology modality (one month of each of Nuclear Medicine, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, and Plain Film Imaging).
There is an intensive emergency and plain film radiology course in the first 3 months, with the intention of all the first year STRs starting to report Emergency Department and Plain Film examinations as soon as possible.
Subsequent 9 months: The STRs commence 3 month attachments covering each of the 6 modules of FRCR II (Gastro-Intestinal, Chest, Musculo-Skeletal, Genito-Urinary, Paediatrics, and Neurology).
Years 2 and 3:
STRs complete the 3 month modular attachments: in year 2 each trainee spends 6 months in NBT (includes 3 months Neurology.) and 6 months in UHBT (includes 3 months Paediatrics).
In year 3 trainee spends one 6 month period in NBT/UHBT /Bath, and a 6 month peripheral attachment at Cheltenham/Swindon/Taunton/Weston. Each attachment is for all aspects of general radiology, building on the first two year’s experience.
Over these two yeaars there are weekly afternoon seminars covering the syllabus and film presentation for all 6 modules of FRCR II B.
Year 4:
Two 6 month attachments, in NBT/UHBT/Bath, mainly covering all aspects of general radiology, but starting to develop sub-speciality interests. During this year all trainees should pass FRCR II B, and have several audit and research projects both completed and under way.
Year 5:
Two 6 month attachments, one in NBT/UHBT/Bath, and one in Cheltenham/Gloucester, Swindon/Taunton, gaining sub-speciality training and experience.
Sub-speciality Training:
The scheme encompasses two Year 5/6 posts in Neuroradiology and interventional radiology, appointed at competitive interview when the posts become free.
There is an approved Year 5 nuclear medicine post for trainees wishing to gain an ARSAC license for specified investigations, or as the first year of the two years nuclear medicine training required to attain a dual CCT..