Interventional Radiology Committee

Overall purpose

The purpose of the Interventional Radiology Committee is to enhance the current and future provision of interventional radiology practice in the UK. The primary objectives of the Committee will be to improve the training for, and professional issues relating to the practice of, interventional radiology for the benefit of patients by strengthening advocacy for and on behalf of the interventional radiology community. It is expected to have a particular focus on ensuring that training and education deliver an appropriately skilled workforce in sufficient/adequate numbers for the future.

The work of the Committee is to support those specialists for whom this forms a significant part of their job. However this also includes those specialists who have a large diagnostic interest or component to their job plans. An interventional radiologist will have skills acquired through formal training in diagnostic imaging across the full range of modalities and specialist training in interventional radiology techniques and procedures. Interventional radiologists have a different practice experience to that of diagnostic radiologists notably as regards clinical responsibility including outpatient clinics, consent and follow up, the provision of lifesaving treatment and the management of medical emergencies. Typically an interventional radiologist will carry out between two and six procedural lists per week.

Terms of Reference

The RCR will consult with the Committee on all matters relating to UK interventional practice.

1. To advise the Faculty of Clinical Radiology (CR) on all matters relating to Interventional Radiology including:

• The relationship between specialist interventional radiology training and diagnostic radiology training, and the structure of training programmes in conjunction with the Specialty Training Board (STB)
• The interventional content of the Clinical Radiology Specialty Training Curriculum in conjunction with the Curriculum Committee and STB
• The content of the sub-specialty Interventional Radiology Curriculum and the related assessment system in conjunction with the Curriculum Committee and STB
• Guidance and advice for training programmes, trainers and trainees
• Guidance and advice on national matters relating to the practice of interventional practice i.e. GMC, NICE, MHRA, NHS England, tariffs, commissioning etc.
• Liaising with other professional bodies in relation to interventional radiology practice e.g. Vascular Society, Cardiac Society etc.

1. To advise the Faculty on matters concerning the interventional radiology workforce.
2. To be informed of and advise on relevant healthcare proposals, policies and developments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. To liaise with the appropriate Boards and working parties of the Faculties of Clinical Radiology and Clinical Oncology as appropriate.
4. To identify new techniques relevant to interventional radiology and to advise the RCR on their application and how best to publicise them e.g. by social and other media.
5. Undertake any other developments, projects or initiatives at the request of the Faculty Board.
6. Develop for consideration by the Faculty Board initiatives which may require review and scrutiny by the advisers to Council or as directed by Council.
7. Where proposals or initiatives discussed by the Committee would incur expenditure or future financial commitment by the College which is not within the approved budget, refer the proposal or initiative for financial appraisal and consideration under the out-of-budget expenditure procedure as agreed from time to time by Council.
8. Report regularly to the Clinical Radiology Faculty Board on its work.

Membership

1. Chair. The chair must be a Fellow or member in good standing who is a practicing interventional radiologist.
2. Four appointed members. Those appointed must be Fellows or members of the College in good standing who are practising interventional radiologists and will be appointed through an open application process in accordance with the College’s board and committee appointment procedures.
3. Two members nominated by the British Society of Interventional Radiology.
4. One trainee who must be a Fellow or member in good standing and who is following the sub-specialty training pathway and who will be appointed through an open application process in accordance with the College’s board and committee appointment procedures. The appointed trainee will be co-opted to the Junior Radiologists’ Forum.
5. Up to three co-opted members from other special interest groups with an interest in intervention to be appointed as and when required depending on current/forthcoming workstreams.
6. The RCR President and Clinical Radiology Officers will all be ex-officio members.
7. All clinical members of the Committee shall be in active clinical practice at the time of their appointment and hold a licence to practise and would normally be expected to remain in active clinical practice throughout the term of their membership.
8. Members serve for terms of three years renewable for a further term of up to three years and no more.

Chair

1. The Chair will be appointed through an open application process in accordance with the College’s board and committee appointment procedures.
2. The Chair will usually serve for a term of three years. A Committee member who is subsequently appointed as Chair of the Committee will not have counted against his or her term of office as Chair any period of service as a member of the Committee.
3. The duties of the Chair include –
   1. Chairing all meetings
   2. Ensuring that the purpose and terms of reference are observed
   3. Engaging all members of the Committee in the work being done
   4. Credibly lead the Committee for the various (groups of) radiologists who currently practise or who wish to practise utilising interventional techniques and procedures
   5. Ensuring that links and liaison are established with other relevant College bodies and/or Special Interest Groups
   6. Reviewing the work of the Committee at least once during his or her term of office and making any recommendations to the Vice President, Clinical Radiology
   7. Ensuring regular reports are made to the Faculty Board
   8. Ensuring that relevant matters are drawn to the attention of the Vice President, the Faculty Board or Officers as appropriate
   9. Acting as media spokesperson for the College in respect of matters within the remit of the Committee at the request of the President or Vice-President, Clinical Radiology.

Operation

1. The Committee will meet not more than three times per year on dates to be agreed.
2. Meetings may be held by virtual means/remote attendance.
3. Committee members may be called upon to consider or determine matters electronically between meetings and are expected to contribute to such considerations or decisions as part of their duties as Committee members.
4. Committee members will not speak on or behalf of the College unless authorised to do so.
5. Committee members will abide by any stated or implied confidentiality that attaches to the work of the Committee during or after any period of membership.
6. Committee members will comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 as regards processing (as defined in the Act) of any personal data where it is made available to them as part of their work.
7. At meetings of the Committee, two appointed members, one BSIR nominated member and one Officer eligible to attend shall form a quorum.

October 2017