Here are a few questions previously asked about the Manchester Training School.  If you query is not answered here, the please feel free to contact us.

How many training sites in the School?

Four, but most of the time is spent at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

What type of training model is in place?

Trainees are taught on individual cases, they have (seen) cut-up on a teaching microscope.  Draft report writing is strongly encouraged.  similar individual tuition is given on post-mortem cases.  Weekly assessments are carried out so trainees are aware of their progress.  Montly assessments with educationl supervisors give an overall view of progress.  This method of assessment has proven popular with trainees.

How many Year 1 trainees are in the School?

MRI can take a maximum of eight ST1 trainees in any one year.

If a multi-site centre, is there a rotation between sites and how much time is spent at each?

This does not apply, since most of the time is spent at MRI.  There are two weeks attachment to Wythenshawe (breast pathology), flexible time, when rostered, at Hope (neuropathology) and two weeks at Pendlebury (paediatric pathology).  The arrangements for neuropathology are temporaty because of consultant staff shortages.

What are the block teaching arrangements ie number of blocks per year?

Manchester is part of the Northern group of schools, including Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle. Depending on the number of appointees to the Northern group, trainees will go to each school for one week's block teaching. Hotel accommodation is provided, except for the host school's trainees. Coordination of topics is discussed by the Heads of the Northern School. However the provision of block teaching is under review and in 2007/8 there was a national week held in Bristol early in the educational year.

Which other schools participate?

See answer to last question.

What are the typical subjects covered (subject to amendment on a year by year basis!)?

These focus on aspects of training relevant to year one curriculum of the Royal College of Pathologists. Role play is an integral part of the Manchester course, helping trainees deal with distraught relatives and problems that may be encountered at autopsy. Cytology also features in block teaching. As the year progresses, topics such as transplantation are introduced into block teaching.

What usually happens during induction week?

Approximately three days are given over to induction. This enables trainees to understand the importance of Health and Safety, workings of the laboratory, an introduction to cut-up techniques and the importance of correct specimen labelling and checking cassettes, to avoid errors. Orientation, both in the hospital and laboratory takes place, as well as talks from the librarian and other services used by the trainees.

Do you have additional training days, and if so, what?

Training in PBL and computer courses for PowerPoint are available from Manchester University. Trainees are encouraged to attend the Pathological Society meetings, held biannually. There are specific trainees days,

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