Stepping Hill Hospital’s rheumatology department has received a new award confirming it as a top centre for training in ultrasound.

The department has been recognised by the European Alliance of Associations of Rheumatology (EULAR) network as an imaging training centre for ultrasound. It has become one of only a handful of rheumatology departments in the UK to gain this status. 

This award recognises the hard work and commitment of the rheumatology team towards the regular standardised training of other consultant rheumatologists, specialty registrars (who are soon to be rheumatologists), fellows, and allied health professionals (AHPs) in ultrasound imaging.

The department runs a variety of different general and interventional ultrasound clinics, all of which provide opportunities for training the next generation of rheumatologist ultrasound practitioners.

Since 2019, the department has expanded significantly and runs an Early Inflammatory Arthritis (EIA) one stop shop clinic, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Fast Track clinic, a combined rheumatology/dermatology clinic, all utilising the benefits of point-of-care ultrasound.

The department also runs a unique structured training programme directed towards rotating specialty registrars who receive ultrasound training and mentorship throughout the year. Many then go on to gain their own independent accreditation and utilise ultrasound, with the first trainee on the programme recently completing her own EULAR accreditation to start independent practice. The team hope their model can form a blueprint for other departments to follow, and allow better use of ultrasound across the UK. 

The benefits of being able to use point of care ultrasound as a rheumatologist are significant, particularly with the early diagnosis and treatment of potentially disabling inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, and sight threatening diseases such as giant cell arteritis.

Dr Qasim Akram, lead for the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust EULAR Imaging Centre said; “We are very privileged and proud as a department to have been selected as a EULAR network of imaging centre, which is a remarkable achievement especially given the current pressures of working in the NHS. We hope that the award will enable us to attract the best fellows from the UK and overseas to train in our EULAR validated training programme, and enable us to have more opportunities for further research and eventually become a Centre of Excellence. I would like to thank our managers, nursing and admin colleagues who have all played vital role our long-term vision for the rheumatology service at Stepping Hill Hospital to be one of the best in the UK.”

Dr Abbas Ismail, Joint Clinical Director for rheumatology said; “This is a highly respected award in terms of professional recognition and puts Stepping Hill Rheumatology Department with other International European ultrasound training centres, which is a great feat. It reflects the hard work and vision of our consultants, management, and support teams in providing training. Hopefully, we can build on this and continue to improve our services.”