ULTRASOUND TRAINING

The Ultrasound team is led by Dr Nuala Kennan (Consultant Radiologist) and Mrs Catriona Watts (Sonographer) and consists of 25 sonographers and 16 support staff as well as the team of radiologists from all specialised areas. Approximately 88,000 ultrasound examinations are performed within the Trust per annum covering a wide range of specialities and there are clinical specialist sonographers with dedicated skills heading these areas.

The ultrasound training for registrars is structured in a dedicated 3 month ultrasound block where all trainees receive hands on supervised training from both radiologists and sonographers. Ultrasound simulators are also available at the Clinical Skills Centre, Hull Royal Infirmary. This helps registrars to acquire basic but essential ultrasound techniques and hand-eye coordination. 

Trainees develop their basic practical skills and knowledge by the time they start on the on call rota and this enables them to contribute usefully to the ultrasound workload in future blocks, and allows them to develop more advanced skills.

 

ADVANCED SKILLS

There are several specialised areas of advanced practice that the sonographers have developed, in conjunction with the relevant radiologist. The trainees are encouraged to develop their skills in musculo-skeletal, head and neck, paediatrics and gynaecological ultrasound fields. A contrast enhanced ultrasound service is also well established and trainees are given the skills to recognise the use of these specialised areas as well as being able to use these skills to aid patient management.

There is strong support for training and development of skills in undertaking interventional procedures and dedicated sessions are set aside to ensure continued hands on training throughout the trainee’s time in Hull.