Virtual Colonoscopy is revolutionising the diagnosis of bowel disease. It uses a CT scanner and powerful 3-D software to build a detailed picture of the large bowel and surrounding tissues. Virtual Colonoscopy is a relatively non-invasive, accurate alternative to conventional colonoscopy. It is very well tolerated by patients without any need for sedation.

Although Virtual Colonoscopy is now widely available across the NHS, there is no formal national training scheme, resulting in considerable variability in performance.

Funding is therefore needed for the development of a National Training Centre for Virtual Colonoscopy to be located at St Marks Hospital. The aim is to develop standards for high quality technique and image interpretation and to impart these to UK-based and overseas radiographers and radiologists. We are looking to raise £20,000 by the end of 2007 to set up and run the first few courses.

Courses will lead to a nationally recognised qualification for the individual trainee; standardization of a cost effective training technique for use by other centres and, crucially, improvement of service quality, choice and experience for patients referred for investigation.

Residential training courses will be offered by experts in the field under the leadership of Consultant Gastrointestinal Radiologist Dr David Burling. Courses will be co-ordinated by Mrs Janice Muckian, Europe ’s first dedicated Virtual Colonoscopy program co-ordinator.

This appeal is being supported by the St Marks Hospital Foundation, which exists to support research and training at St Marks. We would be very grateful for your support in the form of a donation, no matter how small.