The government's "steam-roller approach" to the introduction of nuchal transluency screening was widely criticised by speakers and delegates at the Annual Delegates Conference 2009.

"It is having a detrimental effect on all ultrasound staff and services as resources are stretched to breaking point," commented Jackie Snell of the Eastern Region.

"Due to short-sighted cuts in the training budget my department, like many others, has been unable to train our own sonographers and recruit qualified staff."

Proposing Motion 12, Jackie said "The Department of Health (DH) must be urged to take a step back and provide finance for the training of sonographers and midwives in much greater numbers. Only when these skilled staff are in post, high spec equipment installed and accommodation provided should this new screening service be introduced."

She commented: "If nuchal screening is not the straw that breaks the ultrasound service, then abdominal aortic screening aneurysm screening certainly will be."

Conference overwhelmingly supported the motion asking the Society's Council to put pressure on the DH to provide more sonographer training.

Click here to see all the motions and updates as to whether they have been carried or failed.

Posted: 20/04/2009