The Christie International Proton School

Protons at The Christie

• The Christie is a recognised world leader in the implementation and delivery of advanced radiotherapy

• In 2018 The Christie will become the first UK NHS comprehensive centre to provide high energy proton beam therapy (PBT).

• The Christie team have been central to developing the UK service, developing clinical protocols and pathways for NHS England.

• The multidiciplinary Christie team includes clinical (radiation) oncologists, radiation therapists and non clinical specialists in oncology, dosimetry, radiotherapy physics, and engineering, as well as experts in commissioning, project management, capital and building development and equipment commissioning.

• This expert knowledge and experience is now available to others through The Christie International Proton School

The Christie International Proton School’s vision is to be the partner of choice for providing specialist proton education to the clinical and academic communities

The Christie Proton School Portfolio

Level Course Length Page

1 Introduction to developing a proton service 1 day 4

1 Introduction to proton beam therapy for general clinical staff of all disciplines 1 day 4

2 Fundamentals of proton beam therapy for clinical staff who will be involved in a proton therapy service 1 week 5

2Fundamentals of developing a proton centre for project managers and capital programme managers involved in establishing a proton beam therapy service, from business case to delivery

2 days 6

3

Introductory observations for:• Clinicians• Physicists• Radiographers

1-2 weeks 7

4 Extended observations, clincal and research fellowships 2 weeks plus 8

The University of Manchester MSc in Cancer Biology and Radiation Physics Full time study 11

2 3

Target audienceClinical staff and managers leading development of proton services

Objective and course componentsTo provide an introduction to commissioning a proton service

• What proton beam therapy is and how it differs from other forms of radiotherapy

• Development of the NHS England service, indications, pathways, protocols and outcomes

• Developing a proton centre, equipment and commissioning

• Clinical workflow

• Developing research in proton beam therapy

Other details • Delivered at The Christie

• It will include a tour of the newly commissioned proton facility

Introduction to developing a proton service

Level 1 courses

1 DAY WORKSHOP

Target audienceClinical and non clinical professionals new to proton beam therapy including doctors, nurses, radiation therapists, managers, commissioners

Objective & course componentsTo provide an introduction to

• The basics of proton beam therapy

• Development of the NHS England service

• Pathways, protocols and indications and use of proton beam therapy

• Proton equipment

• Treatment planning and clinical workflow

• Clinical and patient reported outcomes

• Research in proton beam therapy

Other details • Delivered at The Christie

• This 1 day course will include a tour of the new proton facility

• NHS and Non-NHS rates available

Introduction to proton beam therapy

1 DAY WORKSHOP

Target audience• Teams and individuals starting to plan or commission a proton beam therapy service

• Clinicians medical physicists and radiation therapists with a particular interest in proton beam therapy

Objective & course componentsTo provide a more detailed outline of the delivery of proton beam therapy including

• The physics of proton beam therapy

• Proton technology

• Radiobiology

• Clinical applications (clinical evidence, case selection)

• Dosimetry and treatment planning (imaging, outlining, assessment)

• Limitations of proton beam therapy

• Profession specific workshop elements including:

– Site specific clinical information – Immobilisation – Pre-treatment imaging – Case based proton/photon comparison of planning – Research

Course structure • The course will be tailored to the needs and make up of groups

• Elements include:

– Plenary lectures – Break out streams for each professional group – A tour of The Proton Beam Therapy Centre at The Christie – Computer based practical simulated planning opportunities – A debate on lessons learned – NHS and Non-NHS rates available

Fundamentals of proton beam therapy

Level 2 course

1 WEEK PROGRAMME

4 5

Level 2 course

Target audienceProgramme and capital project managers

Objective & course componentsIntroduce project and capital project managers to:

– Proton beam therapy as a modality of treatment

– Feasibility testing and developing the business case

– Capital design and build

– Workforce modelling and planning

– Developing equipment specifications

– Vendor selection, procurement and legal issues

– Equipment design, installation and commissioning

– Radiation protection

– Lessons learnt from development of a national centre

Course structure • The programme will include a tour and inspection of a newly built

and commissioned proton beam therapy centre at The Christie

• Interactive question and answer sessions with project and capital managers, clinicians, physicists, engineers, radiation therapists and radiation protection experts

Fundamentals of developing a proton centre & service

2 DAY WORKSHOP

Target audience• For those who have undertaken an appropriate course

• Clinicians, physicists radiation therapists and teams involved in or about to be involved in proton beam therapy delivery

Objective & course components• Patient flow theory and observation

• Selection of patients for proton beam therapy, an international view

• Uncertainties in treatment planning including tissue interfaces, metalwork, cavities & robust optimisation.

• Site specific MDT attendance

• Patient therapy delivery including immobilisation, scanning, clinic, patient support

• Staffing requirements and the extended proton team

• Understanding lessons learned from developing a national service

Course structure • All individuals and or teams will be sent a questionnaire pre visit to

identify their specific learning objectives to enable us to tailor courses

• The courses is based around classroom and observation sessions with computer based practical simulation where appropriate

• Opportunity to consider the patients perspective as a recipient of proton beam therapy

• Site specific interests will be accommodated

• If required a research component can be added

Introductory observation courses

Level 3 course

1 - 2 WEEKS

76

Level 4 course

Target audience• Aimed at clinicians, physicists and radiation therapists either as

a group or separately

• Teams involved in or about to be involved in proton beam therapy

NB: For those with appropriate previous experience.

Objective & course components• Opportunity to spend time shadowing delivery of proton beam therapy

gaining an in depth understand of all elements of the services

• In-depth site specific treatment planning experience:

– Demonstration of planning and considerations – Simulated planning of cases (simple to more complex) – Case discussions – Opportunity to interact with leading clinicians, physicists and

radiographers in the field – Proton Dosimetry, an opportunity to deliver treatment plan in

simulated environment on phantoms

• Educating and training the workforce

• Managing contingency

Course structure • All extended observations are tailored to individuals and the team.

• The courses is based around shadowing and observation with simulation where appropriate

• Site specific interests will be accommodated

• If required a research component can be added

Observation courses

2 WEEKS PLUS

When will these courses be available

The portfolio of opportunities at The Christie International Proton School will grow alongside its delivery of services.

The Proton School current timetable is:

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Level 1: Introduction to developing a proton service

Level 1: Introduction to proton beam therapy

Level 2: Fundamentals of proton beam therapy

Level 2: Fundamentals of developing a proton centre and service

Level 3: Introductory observation courses

Level 4: Observation courses

Msc in Cancer Biology and Radiation Physics

98

For specific dates or to arrange an observership please contact The Christie International Proton school on christieprotonschool@christie.nhs.uk or visit our webpage for additional details www.christie.nhs.uk/school-of-oncology

10 11

Other opportunities offer by the Christie International Proton School

Extended observations and placementsAn opportunity for clinical staff of all types to apply for an extended placement (1-6 months) to work alongside the Proton team and gain a thorough understanding of all aspect of service development and delivery. There are also opportunities for research placements.

NB: these are only available to those who have undertaken Tier 3 training

Clinical & research fellowshipsThe Christie runs a well developed clinical and research fellowship programme for clinical and scientific staff funded by their institution or country. The programme offers an opportunity to develop skills in service delivery, research and education. All fellow have access to a high quality education and pastoral support programme where they will work alongside fellows developing skills in all aspects of cancer care delivery and research.

PhD Opportunities Opportunities for proton beam therapy focused PhDs arise regularly with Professor Karen Kirkby, at The University of Manchester. These can be accessed through findaphd.com

Applications for PhD level study are also welcomed from those who are externally funded.

For those who do not have a background in Radiotherapy we recommend the University of Manchester MSc, PG Dip or PG Cert in Cancer Biology and Radiation Physics. This course, run in conjunction with The Christie will develop the skills you need to become a multidisciplinary scientist within the field of radiotherapy.

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/list/11833/msc-pgdip-pgcert-cancer-biology-and-radiotherapy-physics

MSc/PGDip/PGCert Cancer Biology and Radiotherapy Physics

Clinical team

Meet the team at The Christie International School of Oncology

Dr Ed SmithConsultant Clinical Oncologist Clinical and Education Director for Proton Beam Therapy

Hazel PenningtonOperational Lead Radiographer for Proton Therapy

Helen Young Tom Edwards Vicky HughesPrincipal Radiographers for Proton Therapy

Physics team

Prof Ranald MackayConsultant Clinical Scientist Director of Medical Physics and Engineering Technical lead for the Proton Project

Mr Imran PatelConsultant Clinical Scientist Clinical Lead for Proton Physics

Dr Julia Handley Consultant Clinical Scientist Head of Radiotherapy Physics Education lead for Radiotherapy Physics

Research team

Professor Karen KirkbyThe Richard Rose Chair in Proton Therapy Physics University of Manchester

Professor Neil BurnetChair in Academic Proton Clinical Oncology University of Manchester

Capital and Project team

Mr Jason DawsonDirector of Capital and Estates

Mrs Jenny ScottDeputy Director of Business Development

Mr Jonathan MartinProton Beam Therapy Programme Office Manager

Education

Dr Catherine HeavenAssociate Director of Education

Contact information

Visit christie.nhs.uk/school-of-oncology Email education.events@christie.nhs.uk Call 0161 918 7409 Connect @TheChristieSoO