What is Credential Training?
Purpose and Objective if the Credential
Historically there has been no standard training pathway for breast clinicians. Some BCs have achieved an MSc or postgraduate diploma in breast diagnosis and breast disease management, based around university modular learning at Masters level. Others have used solitary university modules in addition to workplace acquisition of skills and knowledge. Training was under the supervision of a radiologist, surgeon or experienced breast clinician and BC roles have evolved to address local service needs.
The purpose of the credential is to standardise postgraduate formal training for breast clinicians across the UK. The concept of a credential was developed by PMETB and following their merger with the GMC in 2010, the GMC agreed the feasibility of credentialing. Breast disease management was a pilot for credential development. Subsequently, a postgraduate training curriculum, to a nationally agreed standard, with a defined scope of practice in breast disease management and radiology was developed jointly by the ABC, RCR and NHSE with the first cohort of doctors commencing training in 2019.
The objective of the credential is to clearly define a training pathway and scope of practice that is recognised nationally while ensuring that the breast screening and symptomatic units have the workforce they need to support and lead the service.
Health Education England partially funded 10 doctors in a pilot project to train through the new curriculum which commenced in 2019. Since 2019, 20 doctors have been appointed to the credential training programme in many locations around the UK. Funding for a further five trainee Breast Clinicians is available in 2024.
Further information regarding credential training or hosting a trainee BC, please contact: breastacademy@mft.nhs.uk.
Credential oversight is provided jointly by the ABC, NBIA and RCR.