Departmental Information
Within this document you can find out information about each of the learning
opportunities within each of clinical placement sites. This information may also help
you decide where to go on cross site and also elective placements.
Name of Department:
Royal Derby Hospital
Pre-treatment Equipment:
One CT scanner and virtual simulation software, Sim more or less obsolete
Planning:
There is a planning department with radiographers (due to staff shortages students
have planning experience whilst rota’d to pre-tx not as a separate placement). They
do have a 1 week physics placement in Year 2 though. Conventional 3D planning,
and IMRT used with Monaco (I think!).
Number and Type of treatment machines:
4 Siemens Linacs fulltime with some CBCT capability.
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Clinics (year 1)
Nuclear Med (year 2)
Mould room (year 1)
Data Input (year 1)
Students can negotiate further placements in areas like:
Brachytherapy (mandatory but organised by student)
Hospice on site
Wards
Physiotherapy / Lymphoedema clinic
IT Equipment available to students for study:
The department has a number of computers (either on sets or in pre-treatment areas)
which are accessible to students if not being used by staff. There are at least 3
computers which students can access anytime in the department with access to BB.
The library has a number of computers (5 – 10 min walk away)
Name of Department:
St James University Hospital Leeds
Pre-treatment Equipment:
Four Siemens CT scanners and virtual simulation software
Planning:
There is a large planning department with dosimetrists and physicists working in
there. Conventional 3D planning, VMAT and IMRT planning systems are used.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
9 full time linacs (2 with VMAT, 3 with CBCT, 1 & all with IMRT).
1 part time linac used at times of high demand/other machine downtime.
2 Used in time of breakdown or service
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Information lounge (year 1)
Clinics & wards (year 2)
Diagnostic imaging / MRI (year 1)
Mould room (year 1)
Reception (year 1)
Macmillan and Nuclear Med (year 2)
Brachytherapy (years 1,2 & 3)
Gamma knife (year 3)
Booking office & data prep (year 3)
Planning (year 2)
IT Equipment available to students for study:
IT equipment available in the department during the day and 24 hour access in
library. All have BB and PP access
Lack of printer access can be a problem. PDF has printer in office
Name of Department:
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Pre-treatment Equipment:
One CT scanner and prosoma virtual simulation software
One Acuity Simulator
Planning:
There is a planning department with radiographers and physicists working in there.
Conventional 3D planning, IMRT and Rapid Arc planning are carried out.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
1 Elekta with MLCs and electrons
3 Varian with micro MLCs, OBI, CBCT and IMRT and Rapid Arc treatment
1 superficial machine with 80 and 120kv
A HDR Brachytherapy suite is being commissioned
Additional placements:
Information and support
Clinics (allocated when machine on service)
Diagnostic imaging and Nuclear Medicine
Lymphoedema clinic
If students express and interest in an additional area – this would be organised
where possible if appropriate.
IT Equipment available to students for study:
There are computers on all treatment sets and pre-treatment but these are not
routinely available for use by students. There are computers with pebblepad and
blackboard capability in 2 areas that are currently unused – although the space will
be utilised in the near future and these computers might not be available. The staff
room has 2 computers but these are unlikely to be available during staff lunch
time/breaks. There is an onsite library but at present the students tend to use the
available computers in the department. As the free space where the 2 computers are
located is utilised the students will be encouraged to use the onsite library.
Name of Department:
The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
Pre-treatment Equipment:
In the department we have a Varian Ximatron- Simulator and two CT scanners a
Siemens Sensation Open - CT scanner and a Toshiba 4D CT scanner. Whilst on a
pre treatment placement students also experience brachytherapy when treatments
are scheduled.
Planning:
The department has a dosimetry department with a team of Therapy Radiographers
and Medical Physicists. Equipment available is Radcalc, ProSoma, Masterplan,
Monaco and Mosaiq. This enables the department to deliver IGRT, IMRT, VMAT and
Tomotherapy.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
1 Tomotherapy unit (treats the majority of head and neck patients, leaving only small
numbers of simple, single phase and CNS treatments on the conventional linacs).
6 full time linacs (5 with IGRT, IMRT, VMAT and imaging capabilities).
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Macmillan information Centre (year 1)
Holistic Cancer Care Centre (year 1)
Clinics (year 1)
Mould room (year 1)
Diagnostic imaging (year 2)
Nuclear Medicine (year 2)
Chemotherapy (year 2)
Ward (year 2)
Students can negotiate further placements in other areas such as pathology,
mortuary and the Hospice, as long there is a relevant learning objective for the
student.
IT Equipment available to students for study:
The students have access to computers in both sites of the department, pretreatment (priority to clinical staff), on set (priority to clinical staff) and in the data
entry room. Primarily, they use the student room which has 2 computers with up to
date versions of Microsoft and flash player allowing them to access Blackboard and
PebblePad. We are in the process of negotiating for an additional computer in the
student room. The students also have access to the library on same side of the
hospital as the department. Here they can access the computer lab which has more
than 20 computers. There can be issues if the students need to use computers for a
short space of time but generally they negotiate time off the unit in advance to find a
work area. Due to the trust policy of encrypted USB sticks the students are unable to
save work to then take home to complete. This issue is currently being resolved with
the students have trust e mail accounts to send work to themselves at home and
vice versa.
Name of Department:
Lincoln County Hospital Radiotherapy Centre
Pre-treatment Equipment:
1 CT scanner
1 Acuity simulator
Planning:
Planning /dosimetry department with radiographers and physicists working in there.
Conventional 3D planning, IMRT, Xio planning systems.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
2x dual energy Varian Clinac 2100CD, one with 80 MLC, the other 120. Both with
EPI.
1x 6mv Varian Clinac 600CD with MLC 80 leaf, and EPI.
6-18 MeV electrons.
Step and shoot IMRT+IGRT prostate, H&N.
1 .Pantak DXT unit, students rostered there to complete skin app. learning objectives.
Note: Lincoln is having new CT scanner installed, to be operational in May
2013.Plans for fourth linac with conebeam CT 2015 TBC
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Microselectron
Clinics, admin, (year 1)
Diagnostic imaging, Research/own choice, (year 2)
Data Entry office (year 3)
Students can negotiate further placements in areas like:
Mould room, chemotherapy, surgical procedures, Post Mortem, Macmillan helpdesk,
Hospice, on ad hoc basis.
IT Equipment available to students for study:
Data Entry Office has computers with access to internet, also secondary access on
sets. Library on site is well equipped.
Name of Department:
Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
Pre-treatment Equipment:
Two CT scanners with virtual simulation software, 1 MRI scanner.
Planning:
There is a large planning department staffed by radiographers and physicists..
Conventional 3D planning, IMRT and Tomotherapy planning systems are used.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
8 Siemens linaccs (1 being replaced with Varian Tru-beam) 2 with in-room CT, 2 with
MVCB imaging.
1 Tomotherapy unit
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Review clinic (year 1)
Mould room (year 1)
Out Patient clinic (year 2)
Nuclear Medicine (year 2)
Diagnostic imaging (year 2)
Maggie’s Centre (year 2) from 2013.
Wards
Students can negotiate further placements in areas like:
Brachytherapy (ran by Mould Room, organised by student)
Pathology (post mortem)
Clinical Trials Unit
IT Equipment available to students for study:
Both departments are accessible to all students regardless of where they are rota’d if
they have time out the room to study/do clinical work; but if they need quick/short
access then they are most limited to where they are placed. No significant problems
in either area. Students can also access computers on the treatment/pre-treat units
but priority obviously given to clinical need. Not used for long periods of time.
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Dedicated student room with 5 computers and printer, full network access and
BB/Pebblepad etc
Student teaching room with network points and access to 2 student laptops.
Hospital library
Name of Department:
Nottingham City Hospital Radiotherapy Centre
Pre-treatment Equipment:
Two CT scanners and virtual simulation software
Planning:
There is a large planning department with radiographers and physicists working in
there. Conventional 3D planning, VMAT and Tomotherapy planning systems are
used.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
1 Tomotherapy unit (treats the majority of head and neck patients, leaving only small
numbers of simple, single phase and CNS treatments on the conventional linacs).
5 full time linacs (4 with VMAT and CBCT, 1 with step and shoot IMRT).
1 part time linac used at times of high demand/other machine downtime.
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Information and support (year 3)
Clinics (year 1)
Diagnostic imaging (year 2)
Mould room (year 1)
Students can negotiate further placements in areas like:
Brachytherapy (mandatory but organised by student)
Hospice on site
Wards
Holistic Care centre
Physiotherapy
IT Equipment available to students for study:
Both departments are accessible to all students regardless of where they are rota’d if
they have time out the room to study/do clinical work; but if they need quick/short
access then they are most limited to where they are placed. No significant problems
in either area. Students can also access computers on the treatment/pre-treat units
but priority obviously given to clinical need. Not used for long periods of time.
North department
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Study room - 4 computers. Accessed by staff and students but no problems
experienced with sharing. Up to date software and can access BB and PP
(albeit can be a little slow at times).
 Image review room – approx. 5-6 computers. Students are allowed to access,
but priority goes to staff for clinical work. Not aware of any significant
difficulties for students in being able to use these. Same access to software
as above.
South department
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Simulator office – 1 computer. Same access to software as above. Not that
used by staff so students can use. Not sure how long this will be accessible
for as simulator is being de-commissioned and depends what replaces it.
Storage/work room – 1-2 computers. Same access to software as above. Not
that used by staff so students can use, usually with no problems.
Name of Department:
Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
Pre-treatment Equipment:
Two CT scanners with virtual simulation software, 1 MRI scanner.
Planning:
There is a large planning department staffed by radiographers and physicists..
Conventional 3D planning, IMRT and Tomotherapy planning systems are used.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
8 Siemens linaccs (1 being replaced with Varian Tru-beam) 2 with in-room CT, 2 with
MVCB imaging.
1 Tomotherapy unit
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Review clinic (year 1)
Mould room (year 1)
Out Patient clinic (year 2)
Nuclear Medicine (year 2)
Diagnostic imaging (year 2)
Maggie’s Centre (year 2) from 2013.
Wards
Students can negotiate further placements in areas like:
Brachytherapy (ran by Mould Room, organised by student)
Pathology (post mortem)
Clinical Trials Unit
IT Equipment available to students for study:
Both departments are accessible to all students regardless of where they are rota’d if
they have time out the room to study/do clinical work; but if they need quick/short
access then they are most limited to where they are placed. No significant problems
in either area. Students can also access computers on the treatment/pre-treat units
but priority obviously given to clinical need. Not used for long periods of time.
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Dedicated student room with 5 computers and printer, full network access and
BB/Pebblepad etc
Student teaching room with network points and access to 2 student laptops.
Hospital library
Name of Department:
Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield
Pre-treatment Equipment:
1 CT scanner (full time)
1 CT scanner (part time share with diagnostic department)
1 Acuity- Conventional Simulator
Planning:
Conventional 3D planning, RapidArc & IMRT -No radiographer rotation through this.
Have just renegotiated 2nd/3rd year student rotation through here.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
3 Varian Low energy
1 Varian Dual energy
3 Varian Dual energy with Full IGRT & Rapid Arc capabilities
Superficial Unit
Additional placements:
Included in the rota:
Cancers Support Centre & Shadowing Paediatric & Information radiographer (year
2/3)
Clinics (year 3)
Nuclear Medicine / Diagnostic imaging (year 2)
Mould room (year 1)
Stereotactic (year 2/3)
Support Workers (year 1)
Reception (year 1)
Students can negotiate further placements in areas like:
Brachytherapy (mandatory if not seen whilst on mould/room planning- patient
session & mock patient arranged with Richard Harrisson)
IT Equipment available to students for study:
3 computers in main treatment hall
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Only be used by students in non-break times i.e. 8:30-9:50, 11-12, 2-3:30 as
staffs have expressed them needing to use.
 Pebblepad access only on 1 computer as Trust won't allow upgrade to Flash
Library now closed
4 Computers in temporary Library
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5 floors up from RT Dept
Very limited opening hours and has to be opened by a porter for the students
to gain access.
Pebblepad access on all computers
Staff not always happy for students to use as they like the students to be on
set, although no room on set to complete any tasks or paper work.
Have to share with the rest of the Hospital, Dr's nurses, medical students etc.
Name of Department: Leicester Royal Infirmary
Pre-treatment Equipment:
One CT scanner and prosoma virtual simulation software
One Acuity Simulator
Planning:
There is a planning department with radiographers and physicists working in there.
Conventional 3D planning, IMRT and Rapid Arc planning are carried out.
Not included routinely in the rota. Students are encouraged to ask planning staff
questions to help with understanding and case reports if necessary.
Number and Type of treatment machines:
1 Elekta with MLCs and electrons
3 Varian with micro MLCs, OBI, CBCT and IMRT and Rapid Arc treatment
1 superficial machine with 80 and 120kv
A HDR Brachytherapy suite is being commissioned
Additional placements:
Information and support
Clinics (allocated when machine on service)
Diagnostic imaging and Nuclear Medicine
Lymphoedema clinic
If students express and interest in an additional area – this would be organised
where possible if appropriate.
IT Equipment available to students for study:
There are computers on all treatment sets and pre-treatment but these are not
routinely available for use by students. There are computers with pebblepad and
blackboard capability in 2 areas that are currently unused – although the space will
be utilised in the near future and these computers might not be available. The staff
room has 2 computers but these are unlikely to be available during staff lunch
time/breaks. There is an onsite library but at present the students tend to use the
available computers in the department. As the free space where the 2 computers are
located is utilised the students will be encouraged to use the onsite library.