Computed Tomography Advisory Group

Meet the CT Advisory Group

• Dr John Cathcart

  John originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the Londonderry School of Radiography and has worked in Dublin, Belfast, Craigavon, Ballymena and Antrim before moving into Higher Education. While working in the clinical environment he achieved a MSc with research in CT and eventually achieved a Doctorate in Medical Science again in the field of CT in 2007.

  John has taught on CT post graduate courses on behalf of Bradford University and Ulster University where he is presently the post graduate Course Director in Advancing Practice.

  He is Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has been external examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at several institutions over the years. 

  His interest in CT research and more recently MR using 3D imaging has allowed him to speak at various conferences both national and international and publish relevant articles.

  John maintains a keen interest in current professional issues in regards CT through both teaching undergraduates and post graduates in CT but also his involvement as a reviewer for CT articles for Radiography and the BJR. 

• Louise Chapell

  Louise trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at Plymouth School of Radiography qualifying in 1994. She started work as a general radiographer at North Middlesex University Hospital. She returned to Devon in 1996 to work at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust gaining experience in all areas of diagnostic imaging.

  In 2002 Louise joined a dedicated team of radiographers as a CT specialist. She has always been actively involved in service improvement and the progression of CT. She has been fortunate to have been involved in the development and evolution of CT cardiac scanning, started as research in 2004. She has extensive experience in all areas of CT and has worked closely with radiologists and MPE’s to constantly ensure best and safe working practices.

  Louise is a strong advocate for compassionate leadership and is dedicated to delivering an exemplary patient focused service.

• Cherith Desmeules

  Cherith originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology practising in Cape Town, South Africa. She moved to the UK in 2001 and subsequently gained extensive clinical experience in general, mammography, theatre and cross-sectional imaging. She completed her Post Graduate Certificate in MRI in 2006. Cherith has since worked as both an MRI and CT Superintendent within the private sector and the NHS.

  
  In her current role as CT Superintendent at the Paul Strickland Centre, Cherith is a member of the Clinical Leads Team and thecentres Business Continuity Planning Team in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. She leads the CT Service Improvement Group and Radiation Safety Group and represents the centre on the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Radiation Protection Committee and Medical Exposures Committee.

  
  Cherith leads the development and implementation of new CT services at the centre which have included a CT Cardiac Service and the Vague Symptoms Pilot in collaboration with the Herts Valley Clinical Care Group.
  Cherith has actively contributed to the Centres QSI Accreditation by leading on two statements relating to Radiation Safety and Medicines Management.

  In addition to her clinical and management responsibilities she has a keen interest in staff development, training, and competency evaluation. She enjoys teaching and presenting and recognises that talent and development is nurtured through challenges and
  mentorship.
   

• Nicola Dobson

  Nicola is the Principal CT Radiographer at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and lives in North Wales.  She started her career in Radiography in 1987, training at Manchester Royal Infirmary and working as a Radiographer in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Withington Hospital, South Manchester, Stockport Infirmary and Stepping Hill Hospital.  In 1996 she was appointed CT Superintendent at Stepping Hill Hospital and in 1999 at Glan Clwyd Hospital, North Wales.  In 2012 she was appointed Principal CT Radiographer for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for the CT departments at Wrexham Maelor, Glan Clwyd and Bangor Hospitals.

  Nicola has 33 years’ extensive clinical and managerial career experience.  30 years CT experience, 27 years as a CT Superintendent/ Principal and is proud to lead CT Teams to deliver a modernised, innovative and optimised CT service.

  Nicola is a keen participant of the Society of Radiographers CT Leads Special Interest Group and is very honoured to be appointed to the Society of Radiographers, CT Advisory Group.

   

• Ann Heathcote

  Ann trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of Leeds and then worked in the NHS, gaining extensive experience within general radiography, CT and MRI before moving to Alliance Medical Limited.

  She has Post Graduate qualifications in CT and MRI. She has authored various publications, undertaken presentations at local and international events.

  In 2021, she was awarded an MSc in Post Mortem Radiology for Natural and Forensic Death Investigation.

  Ann maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through her involvement in the CT Advisory Group and is currently co-authoring a number of upcoming publications.

• Rahul Modi

  Rahul is a CT head reporting and superintendent radiographer who leads the service at the acute Leicester Royal Infirmary site within the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS trust.

  Rahul trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of Hertfordshire and in 2013 he made the decision to join UHL and specialise in CT & MRI for which he had developed a keen passion as a student.

  Rahul gained extensive knowledge and developed numerous skills during this time, becoming a senior member of the team and a mentor for new staff and students. In 2017, he was able to utilise his expertise, knowledge and skills to successfully complete a PgCert in CT head reporting.

  In 2018, Rahul embarked on a new challenge and took on an advanced practitioner and lead CT radiographer role, allowing him to further develop his competence, knowledge and leadership skills. Here he  utilised his specialist skills to foster and promote a positive learning environment and improve evidence-based practice.

  Following this, Rahul became CT Superintendent at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, enabling him to lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team as well as oversee the day to day running, management and operation of a dynamic CT service which incorporates five CT scanners and numerous patient pathways.

  This role coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic which significantly altered CT service provision and Rahul recognised the impact this had upon staff and their wellbeing.

• Sharon Addison

  Sharon trained at the University of the West of England (UWE) between 1993 and 1996, gaining experience at Gloucester, Bristol and Plymouth hospitals. The first three years of Sharon’s career was spent at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, where she gained a wide range of radiographic experience, including CT. In 1999, Sharon relocated to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, in Exeter, where she still is based.

  Sharon has spent 19 years in CT and MRI, most of them full time, which has allowed her to gain a profound clinical competence in many areas of CT. Over the last eight years Sharon has been actively involved in many aspects of the department, her expertise lies within CT, however she also has a wealth of MRI knowledge too. One of Sharon’s main roles has been implementing CT applications on all three departmental CT scanners. This knowledge has extended to other new sites covered by the department, this aided keeping the CT service running over the pandemic. She has been actively employed in establishing a safe quality service on the CT scanners at the newly developed CDH Exeter Nightingale.

  Working with external suppliers to build protocols and train radiographers in advance techniques. During her time at Exeter, she set up a study day for the cardiology and radiology consultants for CT cardiac scanning, with support from a CT manufacturer. The day was based around how to adapt CT scans for patients when they are in arrhythmias and how to improve image quality for technically challenging scans. A few years ago, when the department upgraded a CT scanner, Sharon had the opportunity to use her expertise to visit other hospitals critically evaluating CT scanners from a variety of manufacturers.

  Her recommendations allowed the selection of a CT scanner that suited the departments requirements and budget. In 2021, Sharon returned to UWE to complete her post graduate qualification in CT, this under pinned her knowledge of CT and ignited a passion for striving for the best for patients, her colleagues, and the future of the service.

• Craig Roe

  Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the Portsmouth School of Radiography, graduating in 1998, practicing in Bath, Australia, Birmingham and in Leeds since 2003.  Craig has been a part of the CT team since 2006.

  Craig has an extensive GI and hepatobiliary background performing and reporting in excess of 600 Barium enemas. His main area of expertise is in CT Colonography, he has led the CTC service in Leeds since 2011 performing over 15000 and reporting 3000 examinations. He is also involved with image reconstruction for both recipient and donor liver transplant patients.

  Teaching is a large part of Craig's role. He has been on the faculty of the Northern School of CT Colonography since its inception in 2007, he has chaired the course since 2016. Craig also teaches the CTC aspect of the PG cert at Bradford University and is involved with various CTC related projects nationwide.

  Completing his MSc in Medical Imaging, 2018, his dissertation was based on patient anxiety at CTC.
   

• Andrew Stephens (Co-chair)

  Andrew qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer in 1991, from the Portsmouth School of Radiography. He began his career in CT at Bristol Royal Infirmary,  subsequently working in other NHS hospitals and the independent sector specialising in CT.

  He has worked at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2002. Throughout his career he has introduced and led various innovative pathways /services within CT departments.

  Andrew has gained reporting qualifications in CT Head and CTC, and continues to practice independent CTC reporting. In 2016 he attained a Master of Science Degree in Health and Social Care Management. 

  In 2020 he contributed to the joint BSGAR/SoR guidance document “Joint guidance on performing CT Colonography in the early recovery phase of the Covid-19 pandemic”. 
  Andrew presented the 2021 College of Radiographers William Stripp Memorial Lecture at UKIO. (MSK CT – Principles, Practice and Recent Advances).

  He maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through his involvement in the CT Advisory Group. Since 2018 he has also been the inaugural chair of the Society of Radiographers CT Leads Special Interest Group.

• Nick Tessier

  Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of Hertfordshire practising in Watford, Nick subsequently gained extensive experience over 22 years as a scanning radiographer, advanced practitioner, lecturer, manager and now as a CT Brain reporting student at Birmingham City University.

  In 2015 Nick completed in house training to conduct his own CT guided drainages. He has conducted over 400 CT guided Drainages and now teaches registrar radiologists to perform this procedure. He is part of the Interventional Radiographers SIG.

  He has 22 years’ experience as a CT radiographer and over 20 years’ as a CT Radiation Protection Supervisor. He is an external clinical advisor for cases relating to CT. Nick set up a 24/7 CT perfusion service for acute stroke, and often talks as a guest lecturer on the subject. 

  In 2018 he helped to set up a CT scanner in Ghana and continues to give online/facetime support to the Superintendent Radiographer that runs the scanner. 

  Nick worked 100% clinically throughout the Covid pandemic, setting up two new CT scanners in the process, and was able to do a few shifts giving vaccinations to staff when demand was at its highest. 
   

• Alan Webster

  Alan trained at the Aberdeen School of Radiography, graduating in 1979. On qualifying, he began work at the Accident and Emergency Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary followed by a move to the main radiology department and then to a senior radiographer post in Neuroradiology. It was at this point he developed his interest in CT imaging. In 1980 he moved to NHS Tayside to help set up the first whole body CT service.
  
  While in this post he went on to gain a BSc in Health Studies and a Diploma in Management Studies. He was also given the opportunity to take a secondment as Radiography Manager for the Diagnostic Radiology departments. During his time as CT Lead he oversaw many changes and innovations in the delivery and management of the CT service.
  
  He was actively involved in CT research for medical trials and imaging for forensic services. Despite the fact he retired from his post in 2018, the retiral did not last. He was asked to help procure a CT scanner and develop a new CT service at the Clinical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. The service involves working with national and international commercial companies for device and drug development.
  
  The centre also undertakes all CT cardiac imaging for Tayside.
  
  Alan strongly believes the focus within a CT service should be patient centred care.

• Gail Woodhouse

  Having trained and worked as a Diagnostic Radiographer at St Bartholomew’s Hospital London Gail gained experience specialising in CT scanning at Bart’s when it was a newly emerging modality. Gail was involved with some of the early research into CT’s possible uses, developing protocols for specific clinical conditions.

  Following a short break when Gail worked as an air stewardess, she returned to radiography to install, set up, run and train staff in this ‘new’ diagnostic tool for hospitals who had never had a CT service.

  Gail worked across the south of England developing CT services in Slough, Reading, East Surrey finally moving into the new and evolving MRI environment managing a private MRI service which she successfully embedded into the North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust. Gail then returned to CT scanning procuring installing and managing (with a high clinical commitment) the latest technology in two back to back CT scanners for the same Trust.

  Following a move to Public Health England in 2013 she joined the Medical Exposures Group (MEG) as a Senior Clinical Diagnostic Officer.  Gail’s role has a broad remit which includes the provision of advice on the use of ionising radiation in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology and associated radiation protection, regulatory and clinical practice matters. The advice is to government, professional bodies, healthcare professionals and members of the public.

  Gail’s work with the devolved administrations includes support for proactive IR(ME)R  inspection programmes and training for IR(ME)R inspectors. She contributes to national publications and guidance documents, leads working parties, presents at national meetings and sits as an associate member on the Clinical Imaging Board.

  Gail is working with a small group of motivated and experienced multidisciplinary colleagues with the aim of taking the reporting of errors in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine forward to a national level. She maintains her HCPC registration and keeps up to date with current clinical practice through regular clinical placements required as part of her current role.

• Martin Young

  Martin trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at Glasgow Caledonian University for 4 years before practising in Monklands Hospital, Airdrie gaining experience in general and emergency x-ray, theatre imaging, interventional procedures and CT. Pursuing an interest in coronary angiography, he moved from a DGH to a busy tertiary hospital in London.

  King’s College Hospital saw Martin become proficient at imaging in the Cardiac Cath Lab and Interventional environment but it was the CT department, performing and latterly vetting, booking and coordinating complex pre procedure scans including TAVI, SIRT and orthopaedic planning. 
  
  Martin’s role developed into a leadership position, becoming Deputy Superintendent of Plain Film, overseeing the smooth running of the general x-ray department. A further promotion saw him become acting Superintendent for Trauma and Out Patients (also covering the A&E Trauma CT Scanner.) With many new management responsibilities, Martin became heavily involved in recruitment, training and mentoring as well as overseeing the day to day running of a busy ED reporting at Governance and Performance meetings as required. He also ensured the department was prepared for the imminent CQC inspection.

  Whilst maintaining his CT skills alongside managerial duties, Martin soon decided to move back to Scotland. This time to Aberdeen where a job in the private sector became available. In 2016, Martin became the CT Lead in a small but busy private hospital in Aberdeen. There, he became responsible for training new staff, setting up protocols for prosthetic planning and even establishing contracts and scanning rock samples for the oil industry. Building on and sharing his previous CT experience, Martin has set up a robust local CT Colon training pack attempting to assist Circle / BMI meet the SCoR training framework on a corporate level. 

  Martin was involved in a corporate procurement program to replace numerous aging scanners throughout the business. This has been invaluable, establishing OEM contacts and communicating with peers throughout the business including MPEs, Imaging managers and fellow CT leads through special interest groups. Having a keen interest in dose optimisation, staff training and patient safety, Martin is one of 3 RPS within his department. His main responsibilities being CT and Interventional ensuring all staff are compliant with Local Rules and undertaking several audits to present at annual RPC meetings.

  Martin also manages to maintain his skills in the sister cross sectional modality, MRI. He looks forward to the CTAG helping to advise and improve on best practice within the modality based on legislation, technological developments and the safety of the service users.

• Tamsin Arnold (Co-chair)

  Tamsin received her degree in Diagnostic Radiography from the Royal Military College of Science (Cranfield University) and has worked as a Radiographer at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and its associated legacy trusts.

  After completing her Master’s Degree in Medical Imaging (Computed Tomography) at the University of Portsmouth she gained extensive experience in all areas of CT advanced practice. She is a Course Director on the established Goodwood Cardiac Course and is a Lead Radiographer for CT Colonoscopy.

  Tamsin has achieved accreditation as an Advanced Practitioner from the Society and College of Radiographers.  She currently runs a Dementia Head Reporting service for her local Memory Assessment Service.  Her current role encompasses aspects of governance including medicines management and Non-Medical Referrers.  She is Chair Person for the CT Head Reporting Special Interest group but maintains an interest in all areas of CT practice.

• Thea Buchan (Vice-chair)

  Thea Buchan currently leads the CT service at University College London Hospital.

  She trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at City University graduating in 2005 then joining UCLH where over a period of 13 years she gained extensive experience eventually specialising in CT. She has extensive experience in CT and specifically CT intervention.

  She led the Interventional CT service from 2013 to 2017 when she took on the position of CT superintendent.  During this time she undertook an MSc in computed tomography.  She published her dissertation “High frequency jet ventilation during cryoablation of small renal tumours”.  She has presented her research work at various conferences both national and international.  Her current research interests include dose reduction in interventional CT, quality improvement and workforce development.

  She has special interest in evidence based practice and education in the workplace and has set up successful CPD programmes and works to pro-mote the profession in her local community.  She maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through her involvement the SOR CT special interest group of which she is an active member.

  She hopes to continue to produce educational content and research whilst encouraging radiographers to undertake similar work to develop the profession.