Annual Report 2011-2012 - Faculty of Radiologists

The Breast Subgroup of the Faculty held its annual
meeting during the Faculty ASM. The meeting was
well attended and a wide range of issues were
discussed. The key performance indicators (KPIs)
returned to the National Cancer Control Programme
(NCCP), from the specialist symptomatic centres,
was a considerable focus of discussion. As a result of
representation to the NCCP, a review has taken place
of the KPIs returned from the unit.
There was discussion on workload issues and staffing
levels in the various units. There is a considerable
challenge to meet the demands of the increasing
referral patterns to the symptomatic breast clinics,
which continued to increase. A proposal has been
made to the National Cancer Screening Service to
alter the national referral form, but there is little
doubt that demands for breast imaging will continue
to increase. The Breast subgroup has proven to be
a valuable source of disseminating information to
Breast Radiologists about a number of important
issues. The membership list has been given to the
Irish Medicines Board, particularly its medical devices
section, to help with the speedy dissemination of
information about important topics, most recently
free silicone injections.
The Faculty nominated two members of the Breast
Subgroup to assist HIQA in a HDA for patients with
family history in this country. This process has made
considerable progress; hopefully the report will
be available in the autumn. The Faculty has also
provided support from the Breast Subgroup to the
NCCP to assist with writing of National Breast Tumour
Guidelines; this has also made considerable progress
and hopefully will report in early 2013.
Annual Reports of Committees 2011/2012
24
Breast Radiology
Subgroup
The breast-specific training programme agreed by
the Faculty for Specialist Registrars (SpRs) has proven
to be very popular and successful. SpRs working in
hospitals, which do not have a Symptomatic Breast
Clinic have been facilitated in screening units. It is
intended that this will continue.
The group has decided to hold an annual meeting
at the time of the Faculty ASM in September, with
the subgroup membership list being used to inform
members of other relevant issues during the year.
Dr. Ann O’Doherty
Chair, Breast Radiology Subgroup