A NEW kind of hospital consultant has started work in the region.

Rosalind Tetlow, a consultant breast practitioner at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, is believed to be the first of a new category of health specialist in the UK.

Women arriving at the hospital to have tests for suspected breast disease will be referred to Ms Tetlow.

The consultant, who has a background in radiography and recently completed five years' postgraduate training for her new role, will provide a one-stop service, from the patient's first appointment to them receiving the all clear or whatever treatment may be neccessary.

Ms Tetlow will be on hand throughout to support and give help and advice.

Her role will involve assessing the needs of patients, reporting on x-rays, carrying out diagnostic biopsies and other tests, and providing follow-up care.

A consultant radiologist traditionally carried out this work but a national shortage has led to the creation of a new role to support women.

Ms Tetlow will be part of a divisional breast imaging team consisting of a consultant radiologist, advanced radiographer practitioners, radiographers and radiography assistants.

Apart from reducing waiting times, the appointment should ensure better continuity of care for patients.

A regular guest lecturer at the universities of Hull, York and Manchester, she will be training other health professionals and carrying out research.

The Friarage Hospital is raising funds to enable it to purchase a new type of machine that will allow Ms Tetlow to per- form vacuum biopsies on benign lumps.

"I am really looking forward to this challenging role and to putting my five years' training to good use," she said.