Diagnostic Imaging Advisory Group (DIAG)

Meet the DI Advisory Members

• Andy Creeden (Chair)

  Advanced Practitioner Radiographer
  
  Andy trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of Liverpool, qualifying in 1997.

  Early in his career Andy undertook a 2 year placement in the central African country of Malawi with the charity Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). He has maintained his interest in overseas radiography throughout his career, founding the Imaging in Developing Countries Special Interest Group and has contributed a chapter on imaging for the textbook ‘Orthopaedic Trauma in the Austere Environment’.
  
  On his return from Malawi Andy settled in Coventry where he practices as an Advanced Practitioner Radiographer, specialising in MSK reporting. He is currently undertaking training in adult chest and abdomen reporting. He is keen to share his knowledge and contributes to postgraduate courses at Birmingham City University and Coventry University.

  He has a developing interest in research, completing an MSc in 2018 with an investigation into the potential application of Machine Learning for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. He was subsequently selected for the SoR Formal Radiography Research Mentoring (FoRRM) scheme. His work has been published in Imaging and
  Therapy Practice and Radiography and he has presented posters at UKIO and ECR.
  
  Andy has chaired the Diagnostic Imaging Advisory Group since its inception in 2017.

• Chloe Shand (MRAG representative)

  Chloe is a lecturer at Ulster University. She manages and teaches modules in both undergraduate and postgraduate Diagnostic Radiography and MRI. Chloe moved to Northern Ireland in 2014, continuing her career in CT and MRI. She has worked for the Royal Air Force, the NHS, and the private sector as a cross-sectional Radiographer since qualifying at the University of Derby in 2008.

  Her passion for teaching focuses on the student experience, classroom technology, patient-centred care and the patient voice.

  She is interested in the ever-changing MRI radiography profession and role development. As well as lecturing, she continues her clinical practice at Antrim Area Hospital in MRI and CT. She is currently completing her MSc in Advancing Practice in MRI at Ulster University.

• Leah Fenning

  Leah graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2015 before securing her first Band 5 post at St Helens & Knowsley NHS Trust. In 2019 she qualified as an MSK Reporting Radiographer after being awarded a PgDip from Canterbury Christ Church University. In the same year, she received the prize for Academic Excellence in Clinical Reporting. Also in 2019, she secured her first reporting role at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust; a role which enabled her to become accredited as an advanced practitioner. In 2021, she gained a PgCert in adult chest reporting and is scheduled to start her abdomen reporting and MSc in 2022. Leah is actively involved in the training and education of others and regularly delivers teaching to staff groups including radiographers, junior doctors, physiotherapists and nurse practitioners. She is an honorary lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and teaches on the MSK postgraduate reporting course at Salford University. She has authored various publications and undertaken conference presentations at a local and national level.

• Rachel Nolan (Vice-Chair)

  Assistant Imaging Services and Professional Lead
  
  Rachel studied at the Lincolnshire School of Radiography and qualified as a Radiographer in 1989.  She started work at the Edith Cavell Hospital, Peterborough in January 1990.
  
  Having always had an interest in ultrasound she undertook the first PGD at Derby University qualifying in 1996. She became involved in several important projects within the ultrasound department, including setting up the contrast enhanced ultrasound service.  She went on to lead the unit for several years helping it to develop into a Sonographer led service before moving into her current role.
  
  During her years as a Sonographer she lectured at several conferences including setting up ones at Peterborough. She also lectured in ultrasound contrast procedures at the University of Hertfordshire.
  She sat on the BMUS ultrasound safety committee for several years and contributed to the writing of “Guidance on reporting ultrasound exposure conditions for bio-effects study” in 2010.

  As part of the leadership team she plays a role in developing the strategy for the department and how Radiographer advancement plays a pivotal role.She is passionate about the advancement of the profession.

  She also sits on the Education and Career Framework Committee.

• Thea Buchan

  CT Superintendent Radiographer

  Thea Buchan currently leads the CT service at West Middlesex University 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 ex-tensive experience eventually specialising in CT. She has extensive expe-rience 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 fre-quency 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 in-terventional 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 spe-cial 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 pro-fession.

• Amanda Gibson

  Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at University Campus Suffolk practising at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds since 2004, Amanda subsequently gained extensive experience within Higher Education in a number of roles including as radiography educator for three and a half years and a number of seconded roles including radiography recruitment coordinator and radiography lecturer, contributing her knowledge and insight to the delivery of professional programmes and at a strategic level.

  Amanda worked within the Quality team within Health Education England and undertook a role supporting organisations to implement the Quality Framework and ensuring quality placements for all and was quickly promoted to Clinical Learning Environment Lead within the team. Amanda led a number of projects within the eastern region and gained particular recognition for her work within primary care as a consultant for the initiation of Community Education provider Networks within the region, which were the seeds of the training hubs we have today. Amanda also initiated a number of projects with the private, voluntary and independent sector and is passionate about championing social care and the role they play in healthcare.

  Amanda has worked across all professional fields and has a fortunate insight into the healthcare landscape within the eastern region many do not hold including nursing, paramedics, radiographers, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, physios and many other AHP professions.

  In 2017 Amanda was offered a post at the University of Suffolk to support practice for the entire healthcare provision. Amanda gained further knowledge of course design, validation processes, stakeholder engagement and further endorsed her position as a leader in placement innovation.

  She maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through her involvement with the Diagnostic Imaging Advisory Group. Amanda currently works as the Advancing Practice Supervision and Assessment Lead with Health Education England and is supporting all the Higher Education Institutions within the region to undertake accreditation of their Advanced Practice course provision. Amanda also leads on the supervision of advanced practitioners within all organisations, and this includes advanced practitioners across all professional groups, including Diagnostic Radiographers.

• Victoria (Vicky) Hughes

  Lecturer & Practice Placement Co-ordinator, University of Liverpool

  Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of North Wales, Bangor, graduating in 1996 with first class honours.  Went on to work at The Christie in Manchester for 11 years gaining extensive experience in oncology imaging, particularly in CT and MRI, gaining a Master of Science in Diagnostic Radiography with a focus in CT scanning.

  Subsequently worked at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral, as a Senior Radiographer and Union Learning Representative, and later as Practice Education Facilitator after gaining a PgCert in Teaching and Learning, supporting multi-professional education throughout the Trust.

  Latterly worked for several years in clinical management roles, as Superintendent Radiographer at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Principal Radiographer at The Christie, and Lead AHP for Diagnostics (Radiology, Pathology, Cardiorespiratory services) at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. During this time she gained a further PgCert in Healthcare Leadership through undertaking the Mary Seacole Programme.

  Currently working as a lecturer on the Diagnostic Radiography programme at the University of Liverpool, where she is also Practice Placement Co-ordinator, contributing her knowledge and insight from clinical and managerial experience to the delivery of the programme.

  She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is also Education Representative on the North West Executive Committee, having formerly served as Management Representative.

  She has been involved in organising annual North West Regional Study days for Diagnostic and Therapeutic radiographers and students, and undertaken conference presentations at local and national level.

  In 2015, she was awarded SoR North West Radiographer of the Year, after being nominated by her former colleagues at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre for commitment to her roles as Superintendent Radiographer and Union Learning Representative.

  She maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through her involvement the Diagnostic Imaging Advisory Group.

• Catriona Hynes (UAG Represensative)

  Senior Lecturer, Diagnostic Imaging
  
  Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at University College Dublin, and subsequently gained her Postgraduate Diploma in medical ultrasound from Sheffield Hallam University. She has clinical experience in a variety of radiographer roles, practising in Dublin, Birmingham and Nottinghamshire, but has specialised in ultrasound practice since 2003.

• Alison Jenkins

  MRI/CT/XRAY Assistant Practitioner

  Following a ten year career in management at British Telecom & accepting redundancy, Alison took the opportunity to spend quality time with her young children. An opportunity arose in 2008 for a role at Alliance Medical (AML),
  as a clinical assistant at a NHS Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC), with a view to undertake training as an assistant radiographic practitioner (ARP).
  
  Alison achieved a Certificate of Higher Education with distinction at Bradford University and subsequently became a SCoR accredited ARP in 2013. Since the closure of the ISTC in 2014, Alison worked at Bradford
  and also York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts in their general x-ray departments, before eventually returning to AML in Dec 2017. Alison has continued her progress working in MRI as an ARP, being part of the AML North Mobiles team. Steadily extending her skill set in the form of written and practical formal assessments,
  she also still undertakes bank shifts in general x-ray at Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust as a way of maintaining that skill with her accreditation.
  
  With the suspension of MRI outpatient services on the AML mobile units in March 2020, Alison was asked to support the Covid19 CT response, as part of the NHSE contract as various hospital sites. Undertaking a comprehensive training programme, she is now able to undertake non contrast examinations as defined in the AML ARP scope of practice.
  
  Living in Harrogate has seen Alison become part of the NHS Nightingale Outpatient CT team in June 2020, working alongside Senior AML CT Radiographers as well as radiologists from the local trusts. She states that this has been extremely challenging but rewarding at the same time. Alison continues to maintain her SCoR ARP accreditation every two years using the benchmarked CPD model to demonstrate her competence through evidence based learning and training.

• Rupert Maclaren

  After 17 years in the wine trade, Rupert decided to change tack and retrained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of Exeter graduating in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Rupert was an active academic representative whilst at university, becoming Subject Chair for Medical Imaging in his final year.

  He was one of the SoR’s first student rep’s, sitting on the UK Student Rep Forum which he continues to be involved as a newly qualified radiographer. He was Whilst attending ADC 2019, he was elected as one of two student observers to UK Council, a role he undertook for two years, and was awarded South West Rep of the Year in 2020.

  On graduation, he took a role as a diagnostic radiographer at Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset where alongside his role as IR representative he undertakes projectional x-ray, fluoroscopy, theatre and trauma imaging and more recently has moving into CT.

  Rupert has a keen interest in helping students achieve their potential and has taken on a work-place mentor role for the Diagnostic Imaging Apprenticeship Degree programme delivered by the University of Exeter. In 2021, he was appointed Academic Mentor / Associate Lecturer for the programme where he works with apprentice radiographers across the country.

• Angela Meadows

  Unit Manager, Alliance Medical
  
  Angela works at Alliance Medical and is responsible for managing the NHS imaging service partnerships at the Preston PET-CT Centre (Royal Preston Hospital Lancashire) and the Westmorland MRI Centre (Westmorland General Hospital Cumbria).
  
  Angela has worked in imaging service management for over 10 years, managing PET CT and MRI / CT imaging partnerships in both the public and private sectors. Before this, Angela supported undergraduate radiographers as a Clinical Tutor for the University of Cumbria at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
  
  Angela’s specific interests are in PET CT, research, paediatric NM imaging and MRI safety. Angela has an MSc in Advanced Practice Nuclear Medicine and has been working as part of the Nuclear Medicine Advisory Group for approximately 4 years.

• Alexandra Partner (HRE representative )

  Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at the University of Derby practising in Leicestershire, Alexandra subsequently gained extensive experience within Higher Education as a senior academic and programme leader, contributing her knowledge and insight to the delivery of professional programmes and at a strategic level.

  She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an external examiner for the undergraduate programme at University of Keele.  She has authored various publications, undertaken conference presentations at local and national level, and peer reviews for an international professional journal.

  Alexandra is professionally active and is also a Leicestershire and Rutland Healthwatch Advisory Board Member, Health and Care Professions Council Fitness to Practise Member and Quality Standard for Imaging Assessor.

  She maintains a keen interest in current professional issues through her involvement the Imaging and Therapy Practice Synapse Advisory Group.  She also maintains her role a registered assessor for the Society and College of Radiographers involved in the accreditation and approval of educational courses and advanced practitioner applications.

• Anthony David Richards

  GI Clinical Specialist Radiographer

  Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer (DCR) at the Southampton School of Radiography based at Poole Hospital and the Boscombe and Bournemouth hospitals.
  Anthony’s first post was at the Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton before travelling Australia and New Zealand for 12 months.

  Returning to work at Queen Marys Hospital Sidcup before mov-ing to Kent & Sussex Hospital Tunbridge Wells (1997).

  There Anthony completed training to perform Barium Enemas; the Leeds Barium Enema Course (2002).

  Completed a PgC in Appendicular Reporting at Canterbury
  Christ Church University  (2005).

  Undertaken MSc modules at CCCU in the performing and the clinical reporting of Barium/Contrast Swallows (2012) and Proctography (2016).

  Through local training and audit Anthony reports Colonic Trans-it Studies as part of the pelvic floor diagnostics (2016), and per-forms and reports Cystograms (2019).

  As a GI Clinical Specialist Radiographer he is keen to use inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary working to enhance and im-prove the patient experience within the trust.

  Currently exploring the potential need for a ‘SALT Fast Track’ service for Aspira-tion patients in conjunction with Speech and Language Therapy and the Trusts Quality Service Improvement Group.

  As part of the Pelvic Floor team, Anthony represents the Radi-ology service at the MDMs. The service is currently expanding with potential radiographer role extension for Anal US / Ma-nometry and participation in the Pelvic Floor clinics.

• Rebecca Steele

  Professional Lead Radiographer & General Manager
  
  Rebecca trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer at King’s College Hospital, London, and has 30 years Radiology experience practising across London in District General Hospitals, Teaching hospitals and the Independent Sector.

  Having specialised as a CT Superintendent radiographer at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Trust for 10 years including teaching at London SouthBank and Kingston Universities, Rebecca moved into wider  leadership roles and is currently Head of Profession and General Manager of Imaging at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).  This challenging role has created a strong vehicle through which Rebecca has developed the radiology service including multiple clinical service reconfigurations both on the existing campus and into new builds.

  Rebecca leads a team of c.180 radiographers working collaboratively to develop the radiography workforce strategy, from the introduction of new patterns of working to developing advanced clinical practice and consultant radiographer roles. Rebecca is a strong advocate for the profession leading her team to innovate and challenge convention whilst keeping the patient at the heart of what they do. Rebecca is also the Joint Clinical Lead for Quality & Safety for Imaging at UCLH, ensuring that patient safety is central to service developments.

  Working closely with HEE on radiographer education and training, Rebecca is also Chair of the North Central London Radiographer Reporting Steering Group.  This facilitates collaboration across communities of practice to establish quality standards, shared education models and drive advanced clinical practice. Rebecca champions radiographers as clinical leaders, as well as managerial leads and is striving for parity with medical colleagues in leadership roles.

  In her spare time Rebecca loves listening to and playing music and has recently taken up the ukulele. She is also a keen spectator of most sports and participator in a few, including trying to improve her golf game.

• Dr Nick Woznitza

  Consultant Radiographer & Clinical Academic; Clinical Director HEE London Radiographer Reporting
  
  Dr Nick Woznitza qualified as a radiographer from the University of South Australia in 1999 and after several years practicing in regional and remote settings moved to the UK in 2005.

  Nick specialises in X-ray reporting, with a strong track record of leading service innovation.  Leading a team of reporting radiographers, he provides a significant contribution to diagnostic capacity and has successfully implemented several radiographer led-reporting initiatives including neonatal and immediate GP chest X-ray reporting by radiographers.  As clinical director for the HEE London radiographer reporting programme, he works closely with the Head of the London Radiology School and stream leads to provide education and mentorship for trainee reporting radiographers and radiologists.

  An active researcher, Nick completed his PhD on chest X-ray reporting by radiographers.  His current projects focus on radiographer reporting and pathway redesign.  Nick is an accredited consultant practitioner with the College of Radiographers and also as an advanced practitioner with the Australian Society of Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy which gives him a unique insight into advanced practice roles in a diverse range of healthcare settings. Nick was the overall winner and practice innovator of the year at the England 2017 Chief Allied Health Professions Officer awards.

Archived Minutes

• Minutes 2017 - 2019
  • 20 May 2019 
  • 25 October 2018 
  • 22 May 2018 
  • 28 November 2017 
  • 26 April 2017