Cardiac Services celebrate STP reaccreditation and new ETP endorsement | News

We are pleased to share that our Cardiac Services team has successfully achieved reaccreditation from the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) to continue delivering the Scientist Training Programme (STP) in Cardiac Science. In addition, the department has now been endorsed to deliver the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP) — a new milestone for the service.

Originally accredited to deliver the STP in 2015, the department’s status is reviewed every five years. This latest reaccreditation reflects the team's continued commitment to high-quality, work-based clinical training. Motivated by their success, the team sought and secured ETP endorsement in May 2024 — also valid for five years.

Both the STP and ETP are nationally funded and highly competitive postgraduate training programmes, requiring applicants to hold a science degree with a minimum 2:1 classification. The ETP runs for 18 months and the STP for three years, offering structured, practical training in cardiac investigations without the need for another degree.

Training is delivered across our three hospital sites and at the Wakefield Community Diagnostic Centre. So far, four STP students have completed their training within the department, and the team is currently hosting its first ETP trainee.

Led by Keith Hobman, Service Manager, and Eileen Wass, Cardiology Physiology Training Lead, the team developed detailed training plans and assigned training officers to ensure a supportive and structured learning environment for trainees.

Eileen shared:

“We’ve successfully hosted four students through the Cardiac Physiology STP, all of whom achieved Distinctions at Master’s level. They worked incredibly hard with the whole team to achieve their qualifications. 

“Being able to document the success of our students has aided us in our reaccreditation and although I do the 'background' paperwork to ensure we meet the requirements, it is the team who deserve the credit.”

Former STP student Kirsten McCully (pictured), who specialised in echocardiography, reflected on her experience:

“Knowing I was learning within a qualified department was encouraging, as I recognised my training met a nationally high standard and the focus was always set on providing high quality patient care. This motivated me to strive for excellence within my own professional practice throughout my training and as I began work following my graduation.”

Congratulations to everyone in the Cardiac Services team for their hard work, continued success, and commitment to developing the future workforce.

In the photo: Kirsten McCully, Healthcare Scientist (Cardiology) and Joshua Pickles, ETP Trainee.