Radiology Local Area Network

LAN 2 is managed by the Network Director of Training (NDT) and the Network Education Support Officer (NESO). They work with:

• LAN 2 Directors of Training (DoTs).
• heads of department.
• hospital administrators.
• the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI).
• RANZCR and other partners.

DoTs at each hospital support trainee education and wellbeing and are the first point of contact for training matters.

A Local Governance Committee, with representatives from all LAN 2 sites, oversees network operations. Senior trainees from each site are invited to attend meetings to provide insights and raise issues on behalf of registrars.

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of RANZCR-accredited or linked sites working together to train radiology registrars. NSW has three radiology training networks:

• LAN 1
• LAN 2
• LAN 3

All networks deliver structured five-year training programs to support trainees to become qualified RANZCR radiologists.

The three networks also collaborate through the Wide Area Network Teaching Program. This program provides weekly education sessions over a two-year cycle.

As a network trainee, you must meet all RANZCR training requirements and the responsibilities of an NSW Health employee. RANZCR introduced an enhanced curriculum in 2022, which includes updates to training expectations.

For full details, visit the RANZCR website.

Overview

Concord Repatriation General Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Local Area Network 2 (LAN2). The Radiology Department is accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). The department supports registrars throughout the 5 year Radiodiagnosis Training Program.

Training is led by two co-directors with support from 17 staff specialists.

What you learn at Concord

Trainees receive hands-on experience in:

• Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
• reviewing referrals
• performing procedures
• writing reports
• working with rosters
• following work health and safety procedures.

You will work across a wide range of imaging services, including:

• magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI).
• angiography
• interventional radiology
• mammography
• CT scanning, including cardiac CT
• general radiography
• ultrasound
• special procedures, such as barium studies.

External rotations

During the program, trainees complete external placements in:

• breast imaging
• nuclear medicine and PET
• obstetrics and gynaecology
• paediatrics.

These rotations occur at metropolitan sites, including Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Westmead Hospital, and at the rural site in Orange. This ensures trainees gain experience across the NSW health system.

Access to specialists and resources

Trainees can consult with specialists in:

• Pathology.
• Bacteriology.
• Biochemistry.
• Haematology.

The Radiology Department library provides textbooks and access to journals, including:

• The Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
• Clinical Radiology.
• Radiographics.
• Radiology.
• The American Journal of Roentgenology.
• The Radiologic Clinics of North America.

Online learning resources include MRI Online, StatDx, IMAIOS and Radiopaedia. These support the Radiodiagnosis Training Program Curriculum, exam preparation and general study.

Teaching and learning

Trainees receive morning and afternoon tutorials from Monday to Friday. You can also join multidisciplinary meetings held in the department.

Other learning opportunities include:

• Monthly Journal Club.
• Wide Area Network teaching and lecture programs.

Concord Medical Imaging Department is RANZCR accredited and has 12 radiology training positions.

Overview

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) is one of Australia’s leading tertiary referral hospitals. It is part of the Sydney Local Health District and is the principal teaching hospital for the University of Sydney.

RPA treats more than 1000 patients each day and offers a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services.

Radiology services

The Radiology Department at RPA and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse provides diagnostic, interventional and consultative imaging services for medical practitioners and patients. Services focus on equitable access, safe practice and high-quality imaging.

The department follows a coordinated and structured training approach for its multidisciplinary team. Continuous evaluation and quality improvement guide everyday practice.

The department aims to:

• provide accurate and timely diagnostic information
• use the most suitable imaging modality for each patient
• deliver efficient and cost-effective services.

Imaging equipment and capabilities

RPA Medical Imaging offers a wide range of imaging technologies, including:

• Ffour CT scanners: 16 slice, 64 slice, 128 slice and a 16 slice interventional machine.
• Breast imaging at Lifehouse, including interventional procedures.
• General radiography units, including digital orthopantomogram (OPG) and three mobile X-ray units.
• Two angiography suites with a dedicated interventional CT scanner.
• Several standalone ultrasound units used for a range of interventional procedures.
• Two MRI machines: a 1.5 tesla GE system and a 3 tesla Siemens Syngo system.
• A 1.5 tesla MRI Avanto system in theatre, leased by the Neurosurgery Department.

RPA Medical Imaging is accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) and has 18 radiology training positions.

Overview

Westmead Hospital is part of one of Australia’s largest health and medical research precincts. It is the principal referral hospital for Western Sydney Local Health District.

The hospital provides district services for the Parramatta, Holroyd and The Hills Shire local government areas. It also delivers tertiary and quaternary services to greater western Sydney, greater metropolitan Sydney, rural NSW and other states.

Medical imaging services

Westmead medical imaging provides high-quality, cost-effective diagnostic and therapeutic imaging services. These services support all clinical areas across the hospital and meet the standards expected of a major teaching facility.

Overview

Orange Base Hospital is a major regional hospital in central western NSW. It has 190 beds and recorded 26,000 emergency department presentations in 2015 to 2016. It is the largest of the three referral centres in the region.

The broader region has a population of about 50,000, with projected growth of 14% over the next 25 years.

Training opportunities for radiology trainees

Trainees gain experience across a wider variety of pathology than is typically seen in metropolitan hospitals. Key learning opportunities include:

• high-quality paediatric imaging
• reporting a large volume and variety of plain films
• access to a broad range of MRI scans, including extensive emergency MRI use.

Orange Base Hospital also hosts an on-site BreastScreen NSW service. This provides regular exposure to screening mammography and assessment clinics.

Trainees can access weekly district-wide multidisciplinary team meetings across several clinical specialties.

The hospital is accredited for training in multiple specialties and is linked with The University of Sydney School of Rural Health through the local campus.

Facilities and support for trainees

• Offsite shared accommodation is provided by the hospital.
• Video and teleconferencing equipment is available in the department to support teaching and meetings with metropolitan hospitals.

Accreditation and rotations

Orange Base Hospital is accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) for one trainee from second to fifth year. The standard rotation is three months and has no on-call requirement. Trainees can request longer rotations if interested.

Service delivery and supervision

I-MED Pty Ltd provides onsite radiology services at Western NSW LHD sites, including Orange Base Hospital. I-MED radiologists provide clinical services, trainee teaching, assessment and supervision.

Trainee employment is managed by Western NSW LHD under NSW Ministry of Health arrangements.

While I-MED provides most onsite clinical supervision, staff specialists and visiting medical officers employed by Western NSW LHD also contribute to trainee supervision and training.

The I-MED Director of Training is responsible for trainee supervision and training, regardless of the employing or contracting entity of the supervising radiologist.