Staff Resources & Support

PgCert Mammography intakes: March, August and November

The PgCert Mammography delivered by the Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging is a 9 months blended course designed to allow HCPC or Coru Registered Radiographers to train as Mammographers. All the academic content is delivered by SABI via three online blocks and includes pre-recorded resources and live workshops. You will be offered a Clinical Training week in either Glasgow or Edinburgh where you will be assigned a Clinical Trainer for a full week of face-to-face clinical teaching. Your Clinical Trainer will also travel to your own department to carry out the assessments associated with the clinical modules.

You will also require a Work-place Mentor who will support your learning throughout the course.

Each 20 credit module reflects 200 hours of learning and you will need support to carry out a minimum of 20 Mammograms per week throughout the course.

The PgCert Mammography runs three times a years and you can apply to register in March, August or November.

The three modules you will need to complete to be eligible for the PgCert Mammography award are as follows:

• Mammography and Person-centred Care (RM097) 20 Credits: This module aims to provide the learner with the theoretical and practical base to develop a high level of expertise in mammography and person-centred care.
• Mammography Practice-based Learning (RM098) 20 Credits: This module aims to encourage the learner to develop as a competent reflective practitioner within breast imaging integrating theory and practice associated with MLO and CC projections.
• Advanced Mammography Skills (RM099) 20 Credits: This module aims to encourage the learner to develop as a competent reflective practitioner within breast imaging integrating theory and practice associated with advanced mammographic projections.

Advanced Practice Modules: various intakes throughout the year

All advanced practice modules delivered at the Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging require a Work-place Mentor who will support your learning throughout the module as well as carry out the clinical assessments.

• PgCert Breast Ultrasound 60 Credits: This CASE Accredited 60 credit award consist of three 20 Credit modules. You can opt to complete the whole PgCert Breast Ultrasound to complete modules as CPD if you have the module prerequisites. Contact SABI for more information.
  • Physics and Instrumentation of Ultrasound (RM087) 20 Credits (September intake): This module starts in September and is taught face-to-face over five days at the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary enabling healthcare practitioners to learn about and critically evaluate the scientific and technological principles of ultrasound and the appropriateness of using ultrasound within medical imaging.
  • Breast Ultrasound (RM088) 20 Credits (January intake): This fully online module starts in January and will enable healthcare practitioners to understand the theoretical principles of breast ultrasound and be able to competently and safely practice ultrasound imaging of the breast and produce diagnostic clinical reports.
  • Ultrasound Guided Breast Interventional Procedures (RM089) 20 Credits (June intake): This module starts in June and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing the healthcare practitioner with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in ultrasound guided interventional procedures of the breast and to perform effective and safe ultrasound guided biopsy procedures.
• X-ray Guided Interventional Breast Procedures (RM095) 20 Credits (October intake): This module starts in June and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing healthcare practitioners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in stereo x-ray guided interventional procedures of the breast. 
• Clinical Breast Examination and Communication (RM096) 20 Credits (November intake): This module starts in November and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing the healthcare practitioners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in Clinical Breast Examination and demonstrate, with sound theoretical knowledge, effective communication and counselling skills.
• Mammographic Image Interpretation (RM100) 40 Credits (March intake): This module starts in March and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing the healthcare practitioners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in mammographic image interpretation, thus enabling the autonomous practitioner to participate in the diagnosis, reporting and assessment of breast disease. 

HECert Mammography: January intake

The Higher Education Certificate in Mammography a 12 month blended course designed to allow non-registered staff to train as Assistant Practitioner Mammographers. All the academic content is delivered by SABI via five online blocks and includes pre-recorded resources and live workshops. You will be offered a Clinical Training week in either Glasgow or Edinburgh where you will be assigned a Clinical Trainer for a full week of face-to-face clinical teaching. Your Clinical Trainer will also travel to your own department to carry out the assessments associated with the clinical module.

You will also require a Work-place Mentor who will support your learning throughout the course.

Each 20 credit module reflects 200 hours of learning and you will need support to carry out a minimum of 20 Mammograms per week throughout the course.

The HECert Mammography starts in January each year.

The five modules you will need to complete to be eligible for the HECert Mammography award are as follows:

• Production of the X-ray Image (R1052) 20 Credits: This module will develop knowledge of the physical principles involved in x-ray production and the fundamental principles involved in image production as well as developing an awareness of the hazards of radiation, the principles of radiation safety and radiation protection legislation.
• Breast Anatomy and Disease (R1053) 20 Credits: This module is designed to equip the learner with knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the breast as well as common breast pathologies and associated treatment options.
• Communication (R1054) 20 Credits: This module will allow the learner to develop effective strategies of communication with clients, patients, relatives, carers and all members of the health care team they encounter.
• Person-centredness in the Breast Care Service (R1055) 20 Credits: This module is designed to enable learners to gain an awareness of person-centred approaches to healthcare delivery focussing on practices and protocols necessary to maintain optimal standards of care.
• Mammography Practice for Assistant Practitioners (R1056) 40 Credits: This work-based module will enable the learner to develop organisational skills prior to the imaging procedure in order to acquire routine mammographic projections to comply with National Standards whilst demonstrating appropriate client/patient care and reflective practice.

Extended Practice for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography: May intake

Extended Practice for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography (R1051) 20 Credits: This standalone module is designed for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography (Mammography Associates) who wish to develop their clinical skills and extend their scope of practice. The aim is to provide the learner with a range of skills to develop their clinical knowledge and technique of additional mammography views within assessment clinic including mag and coned views, the augmented breast, implantable devices and post clip imaging.

All the academic content is delivered by SABI during a single online block and includes pre-recorded resources and live workshops. You will be offered a Clinical Training week in either Glasgow or Edinburgh where you will be assigned a Clinical Trainer for half a week of face-to-face clinical teaching. Your Clinical Trainer will also travel to your own department to carry out the assessments associated with this clinical module.

The module starts in May and lasts for 7 months.

A variety of study options are available to you if you wish to complete the PgDip Mammography (120 Credits) or the full MSc Mammography (180 Credits). You can select from the clinical modules offered directly by SABI or options focussing on the other pillars of practice delivered by QMU:

• Education
• Leadership
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

You have a maximum of 7 years to complete the full MSc. If you have previous appropriate academic credits from SABI/QMU and are unsure if you can include them within you MSc then please contact Simon Holmes at SABI (simon.holmes@nhs.scot).

If you have studied modules at other Universities you may be able to use these academic credits towards your MSc. If you are unsure whether you can include them within you MSc then please contact Simon Holmes at SABI (simon.holmes@nhs.scot).

For general information on your module options and how they might link to the academic credits you already have please contact Simon Holmes at SABI (simon.holmes@nhs.scot).

Face-to-Face clinical training is offered to all students on the PgCert Mammography (1 week), HECert Mammography (1 week) or extended Practice for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography module (half a week). This is delivered by a designated SABI Clinical Trainer in either Glasgow or Edinburgh. The dates for your clinical training week and your named Clinical Trainer will be assigned to you when you apply for the course. Your Clinical Trainer will work with you throughout the course and be your point of contact if you have any difficulties. They will also arrange the dates for your clinical assessments which will be done on mutually convenient dates and in discussion with your line manager and mentor.

The Clinical Training week in Glasgow is at the West of Scotland Breast Screening Centre which is situated on Nelson Mandela Place in next to Queen Street Train Station in Glasgow City Centre. There are 5 Clinical Trainers who work at this centre; Claire, Isabelle, Christine, Kayleigh and Samantha.

The Clinical Training week in Edinburgh is at the South East Scotland Breast Screening Centre which is situated at Ardmillan House near Haymarket Train Station in Edinburgh City Centre. There are 3 Clinical Trainers who work at this centre; Alyson, Zoe and Laura.

For all modules which have a clinical element, you will be expected to have a Workplace Mentor. This is someone who will be selected by your Line Manager to support your learning throughout the duration of the course. They may also be required to carry out clinical assessments depending on the modules you are registered on.

Your Workplace Mentor will have a number of roles and responsibilities to ensure you are supported throughout your studies but differ slightly depending on which course you are registered on. In general, these include being available for the duration of the course, ensure you have the necessary departmental clinical time and resources to successfully complete the course as well as provide formal and informal feedback to fulfil module requirements. These points will be agreed with your Workplace Mentor at the beginning of your studies

The roles and responsibilities of a Workplace Mentor is dependant on the course, and therefore specific online training is offered for all individuals embarking on Workplace Mentorship. Firstly, the Workplace Mentor will be given access to some online resources to review. This is followed by an hour long online session delivered via MSTeams where the SABI Lead covers the expectations, documentation and assessment associated with the module(s). A CPD certificate will be given for all individuals who attend the online mentor training.

For information regarding the expectations of a Workplace Mentor please contact Maureen McAuley at SABI (Maureen.McAuley@nhs.scot)

SABI offers Clinical Updates which are facilitated by the Clinical Training Team. These are bespoke and can be arranged for individuals or departments depending on need.

If you have a member of staff who has a consistency high Technical Recall rate for instance, SABI can put a package involving one-to-one training. These Clinical Updates tend to run at the Glasgow or Edinburgh Breast Screening Centres.

If you simply would like an informative Clinical Update for your department, then again SABI can put a package together but the Clinical Trainers will come to you for these.

For costs and how to organise a clinical update please contact Maureen McAuley at SABI (Maureen.McAuley@nhs.scot)

To apply for the PgCert Mammography you will need a degree or diploma in Diagnostic Radiography or Therapeutic Radiography with HCPC/Coru registration and current employment in a clinical environment offering mammography experience.

To apply for the HECert Mammography you will need 2 passes at SQA Higher Level or equivalent and working in a clinical environment offering mammography experience.

To apply for the PgCert Breast Ultrasound, applicants must be a healthcare practitioner currently employed in a clinical environment offering breast ultrasound experience to study the workplace modules and have with the support of a line manager and workplace mentor.

To apply for the Advanced Practice Clinical Modules, applicants must be a healthcare practitioner currently employed in a clinical environment offering relevant experience to study the workplace modules and have with the support of a line manager and workplace mentor. Please contact Maureen McAuley at SABI (Maureen.McAuley@nhs.scot) to discuss entry requirements.

To apply for MSc modules through QMU such as Research Methods or Dissertation please contact Simon Holmes at SABI (simon.holmes@nhs.scot) to discuss options. and entry requirements.

You may be granted exemption from studying a module, provided you can demonstrate successful achievement of all the learning outcomes. Please contact Simon Holmes at SABI (simon.holmes@nhs.scot) to discuss options.

If English is not your first language then you will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at IELTS 7 (no less than 6.5 in any element) or equivalent. 

The Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging is based at the West of Scotland Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow:

Stock Exchange Court,
77 Nelson Mandela Place,
Glasgow,
G2 1QT

If you are applying for the clinical courses run by SABI then contact Maureen McAuley who will send you an application form as well as general information about the course you wish to apply for: Maureen.McAuley@nhs.scot

Contact Maureen McAuley for information regarding course fees: Maureen.McAuley@nhs.scot

If you are unsure and want to discuss options then please contact Simon Holmes simon.holmes@nhs.scot

This toolkit is a suite of resources designed to assist experienced educators and facilitators, with expert knowledge and skills in facilitating work-based learning, to deliver the NES Facilitation of Learning programme. Ideally, facilitators should have a qualification and experience in healthcare education, for example, those with a post-graduate certificate in education or professionals who work in continuing practice and professional development departments, or in a practice education role, or learning and development roles.

This toolkit provides information and practical guidance on preparing healthcare professionals and service users or carers, who may be involved in facilitating interprofessional learning, uni-professional learning, or service user/carer education in the workplace.

The toolkit is intended to be a flexible resource. Sections of the toolkit can be used to support existing learning programmes or activities or used in its entirety to plan specific programmes depending on local or individual needs. Specific considerations for online delivery of education are not covered in this toolkit. Information in relation to developing and delivering online learning can be found on the Guidance for education page in TURAS Learn.

Facilitation of Learning Programme aims to support health and social care workers with a role in facilitating learning in the workplace. It has been developed to support those involved in facilitating learning as part of their role in the workplace, who wish to develop or refresh their knowledge and skills in the delivery of education and training. Its purpose is to support the development of knowledge and skills in relation to the design and delivery of education and training and is relevant for both clinical and non-clinical roles.

Participants of the programme will be offered the opportunity to use a blended learning approach consisting of two parts. The first part is the completion of Units 1- 4 of the NES Facilitation of Learning programme (approximately eight hours) accessed via TURAS Learn. The second part is engagement in interactive workshops, either online or in-person (approximately eleven hours), arranged by your local facilitator. These workshops can be delivered in a variety of ways either four online workshops or two full day workshops. The programme aims to help them plan, deliver and evaluate their own learning programmes. The content is focused on the theory and principles which underpin effective adult teaching and learning. Facilitated development workshops can be delivered locally. All the resources required for facilitation of the programme and further information can be accessed via TURAS Learn.

You can get in touch with your local Practice Educator directly: Local nursing and midwifery practice educator (PE) contact details

The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 was enacted in April 2024. It aims to provide a statutory basis for the provision of appropriate staffing in Health and Social Care services to support the delivery of safe and effective high-quality care. This will be achieved by having the right people with the right skills in the right place at the right time to improve outcomes for people using our services and improve staff wellbeing.

The Act does not prescribe health care staffing levels or planning and instead supports the development of suitable approaches in various health and social care settings.

NHSGGC agreed to be a ‘test board’ as part of Scottish Governments development of the legislation and its guidance, amongst other Health Boards. From September 2023, the Programmes focus was to review the Acts draft duties and guiding principles using SWOT analysis techniques, in multi-disciplinary teams across the Health Board and our 6 HSCP delivery partners.   This was completed for the Acts guiding principles and the majority of the Duties within the Act.  The multi-professional approach and preparation enabled the Board to establish evidence, for where we already had compliance with the Act and highlight key activities and actions to be delivered to improve the level of compliance.

As such,  the Act was implemented maintaining the multi-disciplinary planning approach, taking the outputs from the testing of the duties, developed from recommendations into driver diagrams, to plan out the improvement activities required for compliance. These were translated into a list of actions, prioritised by assurance and risk rating, and assigned to a lead or short life working group.

We worked hard to deliver this in a way that had little as possible impact on “business as usual” work of our busy clinical colleagues, splitting the duties into separate working groups and meeting regularly to ensure multi professional input are considered and solutions reached by consensus, which was the core approach to this programme.

We continue to work cross-organisationally with our colleagues in other NHS Scotland boards to ensure we deliver the Act consistently across Scotland and build a supportive network of subject matter experts. We are committed to understanding the experiences of others and providing learning to everyone involved.

The Transitional Oversight Board aims to meet Quarterly and has replaced the Programme Board.

The Programme has now completed and has moved into Transitional Oversight, the governance structure is below:

All staff must be aware of and understand the principles of the legislation and consider its impact on their responsibilities to:

• People who use the service 
• Colleagues  
• NHSGGC 
• Where appropriate to their profession 

Education must be completed at a level appropriate to role, with clinical leaders required to complete Skilled level education and all other staff completing Informed level education.

All staff are responsible for escalating any immediate healthcare staffing concerns to the senior person on duty.

Clinical leaders are responsible for supporting team understanding of health and care staffing and promoting open and transparent discussions about staffing decisions.

Please refer to all Quick Guides relating to the Act.

Please complete: 

• Learning resources : Informed level | Turas | Learn
• Learning resources : Skilled level | Turas | Learn

For certain identified roles, it is also recommended to complete the expert level:

• Learning resources : Expert level / Turas / Learn

The restorative model of clinical supervision is recognised as an approach to support reflective practice that can help build practitioners’ resilience by focusing on the individual’s (supervisee’s) experience, aiming to sustain their wellbeing and their motivation at work.

This is achieved through guided reflection, exploratory questioning and supportive challenge, enabling a focus on action planning and goal setting. Restorative clinical supervision offers practitioners the opportunity to regularly discuss the positive aspects of their work which is as important as exploring those issues they find more challenging (NHS Education for Scotland, 2021). 

Restorative clinical supervision is considered essential to support the nursing and midwifery workforce with the emotional challenges of their role, develop their reflective capabilities, and enable them to address professional challenges in new and innovative ways, thus contributing towards a healthy workplace culture (NHS Education for Scotland, 2022). 

NHS Scotland is committed to enabling the nursing and midwifery workforce access to regular clinical supervision and support. This includes non-registered staff such as health and care support workers.

This commitment is required to ensure that safe, effective and high-quality person-centred care is provided to patients and support families and carers. In line with the Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland’s vision (Scottish Government, 2017), the aspiration is for all nurses and midwives to participate in clinical supervision appropriate to their role by 2030. 

If there is no established restorative clinical supervision within your clinical area, please contact your Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) or Care Home Education Facilitator (CHEF) for further information. If you do not have an allocated PEF or CHEF you can contact the team using the generic email address practiceeducation@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. 

We recommend that all practitioners preparing to participate in restorative clinical supervision as supervisees, undertake Clinical supervision unit 1: fundamentals of supervision. Unit 1 is designed to provide you with an introduction to clinical supervision; what it is, the purpose, processes and potential benefits.  

One of the ways in which to develop the skills to become a clinical supervisor is to participate in the Clinical Supervisor Preparation Programme. This programme is managed and facilitated by the practice education team in collaboration with the NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Nursing and Midwifery Practice Educators.

The programme will offer you an opportunity to participate in a programme using a blended learning approach which builds on the theoretical foundation provided by the self-directed online learning units. Completion of the units is undertaken in conjunction with the online skills development workshops. The programme will also provide you with an opportunity to practice and develop the knowledge and skills for the role of clinical supervisor. 

Participants are asked to engage with and complete the four self-directed online learning units (approx. 6hrs). They can be accessed on TURAS Learn and are part of the NES Clinical supervision resource. You will then be offered five facilitated skills development workshops accessed using MS Teams (approx.11hrs) or two in person study days held centrally within the board area. 

The enrolment process is managed and facilitated by the PE team. There is a current timetable for this year and the programme runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Participants are requested to choose a cohort when booking for example, all Tuesdays or all Wednesdays. The enrolment form has a list of all the cohort dates and times you should complete this with your preferred dates.

• National Health Service, Education for Scotland. (2021) Clinical Supervision: nursing and midwifery workforce- NES position statement (Accessed: 30 January 2024). 
• National Health Service, Education for Scotland. (2022) Restorative clinical supervision for nurses and midwives: implementation guidance for strategic leads and managers (Accessed: 30 January 2024). 
• Scottish Government. (2017) Nursing 2030 vision: promoting confident, competent, and collaborative nursing for Scotland’s future. Edinburgh (Accessed: 30 January 2024).