In this section
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Overall UK Winners
UK Radiography Professional of the Year
Helen Reid, Head of Radiography, University Hospital Southampton
UK Radiography Team of the Year
South West Radiotherapy Late Effects Service
UK Radiography Learner of the Year
Tara Smith, Therapeutic Radiographer, East Suffolk & North Essex Foundation Trust
Radiography Educator of the Year 2024
Alexandra Partner, Director of Clinical Skills and Simulation, University of Nottingham
Patient's Choice Award winners
Recipient of the individual award
Naman led a national survey to understand the confidence levels of therapeutic radiographers assessing skin reactions, finding that people were over 30% less confident in assessing people of colour. This has led to national change in departments to improve training and understanding of reactions across all skin tones. With this, diagnostic radiography guidelines on contrast reactions have been updated in departments across the UK to include terminology for people of colour.
Recipient of the team award
The team has developed an innovative module on patient-centered care in radiography, engaging over 30 educators and service users to provide students with authentic, diverse perspectives on essential topics like communication, neurodivergence, and well-being. Through immersive techniques such as simulation, virtual reality, storytelling, and live class debates, students are encouraged to reflect deeply on patient needs and adopt new, empathetic practices—leading over 70% to report positive changes in their clinical approach. This interdisciplinary, collaborative effort has enriched radiography education, fostering greater empathy and practical skills for improving patient care.
Radiography Professional of the Year Regional Winners
Learn more about the regional winners for the 2024 awards.
I qualified in 2019 from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BSc in Diagnostic Imaging. Following graduation, I worked at a major trauma site within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for three years as a band 5 radiographer, during which time I developed a keen interest in plain film reporting and MRI. I moved to NHS Golden Jubilee in June 2022 to begin my first band 6 rotational radiographer post. Soon after, the rare and competitive opportunity to train as an MSK reporting radiographer arose and I returned to GCU to obtain my PGCert. Following qualification, I took on the co-lead student liaison role within radiology and work closely with colleagues to try improve the student experience within our unique hospital. I am due to return to education in January 2025 to begin my PGDip at Birmingham City University.
I am a Specialist Radiographer in the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, where I have worked since 2002. I have worked in NM for over 30 years in both the North West and North East. My role includes clinical, managerial and training of junior members of the team. I have been key in introducing many new techniques within this role to include GFR non imaging tests, Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy injections pre surgery and Octreotide.
I have been a mentor for new staff members who have entered Nuclear Medicine from a variety of backgrounds, from BSc candidates who have no hospital experience, to qualified Radiographers who then train on site whilst undertaking a PGC in Nuclear Medicine.
I am the Radiation Protection Supervisor for the department and as part of this role I undertake IR(ME)R training for Operators to inject Radioactivity who are not Nuclear Medicine Trained and for Domestic staff who work in our department.
I perform, encourage and support staff to undertake audits within their job role which have both improved service provision for users and developed their own skills.
As the lead in the department I have instigated a "Training Hour" held approximately monthly to help to keep the staff informed, motivated and updated - these include myself and colleagues giving talks on a range of subjects and also inviting outside speakers.
As a trailblazer in the early days of CT and MRI, Helen was among the first radiographers to perform patient cannulation, paving the way for enhanced patient care and procedural efficiency. Known for her innovative and adaptable approach, she has championed advancements throughout her career, culminating in her role as Head of Professions at University Hospital Southampton. Helen initiated training for radiology support workers in cannulation to optimize capacity and elevate patient care. She also developed streamlined, same-day MRI pathways for outpatient appointments, accelerating cancer diagnosis and minimizing patient disruption.
I started working as a therapy radiographer in 2017, and immediately took an interest in the surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) system and the image guidance. Since then I have undertaken a MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice in Radiotherapy and Oncology. My primary role in my department is Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) specialist, and as part of that role I manage the imaging and surface guided needs of complex patients. Most recently I have led the implementation of head and neck SGRT with open masks, which I hope is making the treatment more comfortable for our head and neck patients and I have demonstrated is just as accurate as the old less comfortable masks. I now also work in the East Midlands Radiotherapy Network as a SABR and Motion Management Radiographer, which has led me to work with all five Radiotherapy departments in the East Midlands to pool our resources and optimise SABR pathways while enhancing the motion management offerings. I am absolutely delighted to be the recipient of this award but also want to acknowledge that none of the things I have contributed to would be possible without the dedication of the Lincoln Radiotherapy Team, they are a credit to the profession.
My name is Jodie Basso, and I have been a diagnostic radiographer since 2012, after graduating from Queen Margaret University. Early in my career, I specialised in oncology imaging, working at The Christie in Manchester before moving to The Royal Marsden in London, where I currently serve as the Superintendent for Interventional Radiology and X-ray.I am proud to work in a department dedicated to improving patient outcomes and providing the best clinical care. In 2021, we established the first robotic Interventional Oncology program in the UK, with particular interest in robotic CT-guided tumour ablation. The Interventional Radiology team has utilised a collaborative approach within the trust to implement new techniques and optimisation projects. Working closely with our anaesthetic colleagues has allowed us to provide high-frequency jet ventilation for all ablations, reducing movement artefact and improving lesion targeting. We have also collaborated with our medical physics colleagues to optimise our CT protocols which allows for better ablation margin assessment. Our most recent service improvement is the introduction of CT hepatic angiography for liver ablation to further enhance procedural imaging.
I am fortunate to work in an incredibly motivated team that continually strives to put the patient first.
Naman is an advanced practice therapeutic radiographer currently working as a research radiographer, he is also the only allied health professional (AHP) clinical advisor for Macmillan Cancer Support charity in the UK, he also co-founded Rad Chat which offers the international award winning podcast Rad Chat and an ambassador for Radiotherapy UK charity advocating for better investment into radiotherapy. Naman is also the first therapeutic radiographer in history to win the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer's (CAHPO) Award for AHP Leadership for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion along with the CAHPO AHP of the year. Naman is also one of 22 AHPs and the joint-first therapeutic radiographer in history to win the inaugural CAHPO gold award for excellence. He was also awarded the Beacon of Light Award 2024 for Support, Services and Allyship from Black Women Rising charity. As a proud first generation immigrant from India, he continues to fight for equity for people from strategically undervalued communities such as people of colour.
I trained as a therapeutic radiographer at The Christie Hospital, Manchester and after qualifying in 1984 I remained at the Christie until 1999 where I progressed through the grades from radiographer grade to Treatment Superintendent.
In 1999 I left the Christie to help to set up the new North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre in Glan Clwyd Hospital. Throughout my time there I assumed various roles; initially as treatment Superintendent and then became the Clinical Lecturer for the Cardiff University students which I did for 14 years. I also helped to set up the radiographer led on treatment review service before taking up the role of Radiotherapy Services Manager in 2020. I retired in July 2024 after almost 40 years as a therapeutic radiographer.
Rose is the 2nd Consultant Radiographer in Nuclear Medicine within the UK, she graduated from the University of Suffolk in 2015 and began working at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. She became a Senior Radiographer in 2017 and the Nuclear Medicine Service Manager in 2021. Rose completed a MSc in Nuclear Medicine at King's College London (2015-2018), a PGDip in Advanced Practice at UWE (2021-2023) and a PGCert in Leadership and Management (2023-2024). She has recently been accepted to study on a MPhil in Medical Science (Radiology) at St Edmunds College, University of Cambridge.
I have worked as a Diagnostic Radiographer for nearly 20 years in Musgrove park Hospital in Taunton. This department has supported me through my newly qualified years, through marriage to my husband Marcus and raising our son and daughter.
After 10 years of interventional Radiography I found my passion in DEXA and bone health, and now find myself as the lead reporting DEXA Radiographer for Taunton, as well as working as a Fracture liaison practitioner in our fracture prevention service. I am committed to improving osteoporosis and DEXA services to ensure gold standard care locally and hope to spread awareness of the importance of fracture prevention on a wider scale. As part of this role I have spoken on bone health at a variety of events and was fortunate enough to speak at the European Congress of Radiology in Vienna this year.
This year I have also completed my MSc with distinction which has reinforced my interest in research and education and the impact that we, as individuals can have on quality improvement. One of our teams greatest achievements is improving our vertebral fracture detection rates through audit and education and we are now one of the best in the country at opportunistically identifying vertebral fractures.
I hope to continue to contribute to the field of bone health as my career progresses.
Radiography Learner of the Year Regional Winners
Learn more about the regional winners for the 2024 awards.
Abi has been part of the apprenticeship in Musgrove Park Hospital and University Hospital Southampton after changing courses due to spinal surgery.
Previously she has worked as a personal assistant in corporate and superyacht design industries so working in healthcare is very different but says it is where she feels most at home. She added that apprenticeships are an excellent way to learn clinical practice and change careers into healthcare.
I recently earned my degree from Ulster University, a journey with academic and athletic commitments. Throughout my studies, I balanced heavy workloads with training for the Ireland U21 and U23 women’s hockey teams. Unfortunately, I faced a significant setback when I sustained a hip fracture, resulting in the loss of several weeks of clinical placement. After a year away from the clinical environment, I returned to complete 24 weeks of placement 8 weeks of which my cohort had already graduated. During this period, I acted as a mentor to first-year students in the same site, guiding them through their initial weeks of placement. Despite the challenges I portrayed resilience, perseverance and commitment to my career, and I am now proud to hold a permanent position as a radiographer in the Belfast Trust and am set to graduate in December with first-class honours.
Frances is an apprentice radiographer at Worcestershire acute hospitals NHS Trust. She has worked for the NHS since 2012 after being made redundant from a job in recruitment. Her first role was as a HCA on a surgical ward and from there she progressed to a Radiology Department Assistant in 2013. In 2019 Frances decided she needed a challenge and applied for a Trainee Mammography Assistant Practitioner role, qualifying in 2021. In 2023, realising how much she missed her old department she applied for an Apprentice Radiographer role and began her adventures at the University of Exeter.
Poppy is a third year Medical Imaging student at the University of Exeter, recognised for her commitment to student support, leadership and research. She advocates for her peers at university as the Department Officer for Diagnostic Radiography programmes and earned the University's Citizenship Prize in 2022/23. She was recently selected for the 2024/25 cohort of #150Leaders programme with the Council of Deans of Health and continues to develop her leadership alongside her role in the Southwest Learner Council. A multidisciplinary group supported by NHS England, focused on achieving a safe learning environment and improving healthcare education.
Her interest in research led to completing a student researcher internship where she presented her work at the United Kingdom Imaging & Oncology Congress 2024, receiving the College of Radiographers Forder Memorial Prize for this inclusive patient care focused project. Poppy later completed a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Public Health internship, where she engaged with national and local stakeholders, gaining valuable experience in public health research and policy engagement.
Outside of radiography, Poppy enjoys playing touch rugby, travelling and outdoor activities.
I have always wanted to make an impact in some way shape or form. Whether that is through the things I do or through people I have interacted with and continue to interact with. And winning this award has helped me realise this goal. Without the driving force that was my father who was suffering with cancer in my final year of education and unfortunately passed before he could see me graduate. Without the last words he spoke to me "No matter what happens to me, focus on school". I do not know if things would have turned out this way. Because he is not here to witness me achieve things and excel where I am currently working. Every major and minor success will always be to him and this award (that I am beyond grateful for) is no exception. I have barely worked much as a radiographer as I grauduated in July and only went into work in mid-august but I have been making great strides in my work. This is a credit to the excellent teaching I received at Robert Gordon University with the most inspiring lecturers, the support I have been shown by my managers and colleagues at work, and most importantly, my personal faith in GOD which has encouraged humility as none of this was all in my own strength. A verse that will always be close to my heart and keeps me grounded is Ecclesiastes 2:11 which states. "Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun."
I recently qualified after 3 years study at the University of Suffolk, training clinically at East Suffolk/North Essex Foundation Trust. I have been volunteering behind the scenes with Rad Chat for the past 3 years, helping with both their socials, proof-listening to episodes and researching future guests and topics. In addition I have worked throughout my degree in a demanding job within medical devices. Whilst training I built a great relationship with my fellow radiography colleagues and patients, reaching over 100% attendance in clinical hours, and received a 1st class degree. My dissertation involving a retrospective clinical audit on the prevalence and severity of erectile dysfunction amongst people being treated for prostate cancer in one radiotherapy department was very well received, and led to presenting at the ARC conference and is pending publication.
Radiography Team of the Year Regional Winners
Learn more about the regional winners for the 2024 awards.
The Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging (SABI) Clinical Training Team is made up of 8 Mammographers who are based in either the Glasgow or Edinburgh Breast Screening Centres. Half of their role involves SABI duties and the other half is focussed on clinical mammographic duties. SABI also has an Administrator who is fundamental to its success. The Team has existed for over 20 years and continually evolves to support an ever changing Breast Imaging Service across Scotland, the rest of the UK and Ireland. Their SABI role focuses mainly on the education and training of Mammographers and Assistant Practitioner Mammographers, ensuring individuals develop to become safe and competent practitioners.
The CT Colonography team based within North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT) have been pioneers in the field of CT Colonography since long before they were even known as NWAFT, previously part of Peterborough and Stamford NHS Trust.
The team were among the first to incorporate radiographer reporting of CT Colonography into their service and helped establish and deliver a PGC programme with the University of Suffolk in CT Colonography reporting.I joined the team in 2019, performing and reporting fluoroscopy and CTC examinations.
COVID was a trying time for the service, there was initially great uncertainly about whether to defer patients until after the pandemic had resolved. However, despite suspending the service for two months in early 2020, the team performed and reported 1854 CTCs, only 16 fewer than in 2019.
In subsequent years, demand has continued to grow to the point where we performed and reported 2691 CTCs in 2023 and are likely to perform at least 2900, possibly even 3000, by the end of 2024.
There have been a few changes within the team in recent years with some colleagues retiring, some joining from elsewhere and some starting their journeys into the realms of advanced practice.
I took over as CTC service lead at the end of 2023.
The team currently consists of 13 radiographers working at varying levels of enhanced, advanced and consultant practice. We have historically been supported very well by our resident GI radiologist and have recently gained the support of two more radiologists who have started reporting CTCs. We also took on an administrative tracker for the service earlier this year who has quickly become an essential member of the team. We rely heavily on the support of the wider radiology department, especially our administrative and bookings teams who also deserve recognition.
Over the past year, we have reduced the average waiting time for performing CT Colonography from 16 days to 8 days. We have also managed to continue to review the intracolonic findings of the majority of cases on the same day as the examination with the extra-colonic review normally provided by a general radiologist the following day. We are currently going from request to report within 14 days for 91% of referrals, 69% within 10 days and 36% within 7 days.
All this has been achieved whilst maintaining the exemplary service that has seen us recognised as one of the first 5 national centres of excellence by the National CTC Academy (https://www.nationalctctrainingprogramme.org/) which has given us the opportunity to share our experience with other radiographers from around the country.
The CT team at Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (South sites) work across 6 CT scanners at 2 different hospitals. The team was nominated for being one of the highest performing units in the country, with use of data insights and radiographer training supporting this.In the year 2023-24, just over 50,000 CT examinations were performed. The newly formed Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
The Kent Oncology Centre opened in 1993 and consists of one centre on two sites. The radiography team comprises therapeutic radiographers from band 5 through to band 8 working at both our Maidstone and Canterbury sites. We have a very diverse workforce, embracing many cultures and nationalities. Many of our radiographers are recruited from Europe, India, Africa and the Philippines.
Our workforce includes treatment floor radiographers, Macmillan specialist radiographers, Brachytherapy radiographers and Consultant radiographers and each and everyone contributes to making this such a successful team.
The last year has been particularly challenging as a significant increase in demand for our service occurred while we were short staffed thus we looked at different ways of working as a means of increasing capacity.
It took a number of months before we were able to see the benefits but we were able to move from a position of being one of the worst performing trusts for cancer performance to one of the top and we are continuing to maintain our compliance month on month.
The MRI Imaging departments successfully merged Radiology information systems and PACS with shared electronic protocols allowing patients to be seamlessly vetted and scanned at different hospitals and departments maximising available capacity. Patients are also being scanned close to home or wherever the appropriate expertise is most available. This resulted in substantial reduction in number of waiting patients across the Trust after the pandemic to manageable levels for such a large Trust below most regional peers. Expertise and experiences are shared across the Trust improving image quality and through-put.
We are a core team of MRI radiographers providing imaging to oncology patients at the Royal Marsden. As well as undertaking the imaging and providing a high level of care, we also participate in research imaging, either led by the department itself, or for the wider oncology teams. We also work closely with our physics colleagues to help develop new MRI sequence, striving to improve quality and reduce scan times. This has included developing new pathways and embedding AI technology into our scans. We are also proudly able to offer a service to scan patients with pacemakers despite not being a cardiac centre, thanks to close links we have made with external hospital teams.
Aside from the clinical work, we have members of the team who have worked on doctoral pathways to develop new skills and enhance our standing within the profession. We actively engage in presenting at study days, university courses and conferences, promoting our own practice and ideas to a wider audience.
Over the last 2 years the department has changed drastically. We were supplied by individual patient injections but due to the sudden closure of our supplier the team had to learn new skills on how to draw up radioactive injections from vials in an aseptic and radiation protection way. Training was needed with pharmacy, medical safety cabinets and extra radiation protection equipment used. Vast amounts of new paper work were needed to ensure we were safe and legal. During this stressful time all in the nuclear medicine team helped and took this on board. I a very proud of the nuclear medicine team who tirelessly ensured the patient through put.
The Pre-Treatment team are composed of therapy radiographers with vastly differing experiences and ages from newly qualified to having over 30 years experience. We are normally a team of around 17 but we have had staff shortages recently and are now a team of only 14 who run 2 CT Scanners, an MRI scanner and a palliative planning section. To work in the team you need to be highly adaptable to move between varying equipments and software. We work at the centre of a wider multi-disciplinary team that consists of clinical oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists, mould room technologists and Treatment Radiographers. We see a patient referred for Radiotherapy at the very beginning of their radiotherapy journey when they are apprehensive and uncertain. Our jobs are to reassure the patients, answer their questions and ensure that their scans and plans are of the best quality using the most appropriate set up and technologies at our disposal. We are trouble-shooters and lateral thinkers and always open and willing to work with the wider team to take on complex cases to provide bespoke quality and accuracy of treatment for our patients.
The Northern Ireland QSI team was established in 2017 as a regional collaborative to drive implementation of QSI in imaging services across Northern Ireland (NI). This was a key recommendation of the Strategic Framework for Imaging Services, NI, 2018.
We are a value driven team and have a deep sense of purpose and responsibility to create an environment to influence positive change. This has enabled us to lead in the delivery of best practice for patients undergoing diagnostic and interventional imaging across NI. Our first Trust achieved QSI accreditation in 2020, three Trusts in 2022 and remaining Trust in March 2024. We have committed as a region to align to the QSI Quality Mark scheme.
The NI QSI team consists of the five Trust QSI Leads long with regional leadership and support from the Regional Medical Imaging Board (RMIB).
Sharon McGuigan, Southern Health and Social Care Trust. Sharon works as Radiology Quality Coordinator, graduating from Ulster University, Diagnostic Radiography (2004) and completed an MSc Science at University of Bradford (2016). Sharon has considerable experience in Interventional Cardiology and General X-ray and has been appointed in October 2024 as Digital Transformational Lead to assist radiology navigate the regional Encompass programme. Sharon strives for excellence and has an interest in quality systems, risk management and problem-solving.
Nuala McErlain, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. A Quality Assurance (QA) Radiographer, Graduating from Ulster University (2003) in Therapeutic Radiography. Nuala worked in the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre for over 9 years gaining interest in QA. After moving to Northern Trust, she completed a PgC in Mammography, and PgC in Health Care Communication. Nuala has been the QA radiographer and QSI Lead since 2021 with an interest in service improvement, and promoting the radiography profession
Mark Cadden, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. A graduate of Ulster University, Mark has been working as a Diagnostic Radiographer for over 14 years with a background primarily in General X-ray, Dental, Forensic and some CT. He commenced working for the South Eastern Trust in June 2018 as a Site Lead Radiographer, before moving into his current role as QSI Lead Radiographer 2019.
Stacey Whitley, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. Stacey has over 11 years experience as a Diagnostic Radiographer and worked in General X-ray and Fluoroscopy. She completed a PgC in Advanced Medical Imaging to report axial and appendicular plain film in 2019.
Stacey took on the role of the QSI Lead Radiographer in 2022 and has a special interest in quality improvement and governance. Stacey has been assisted recently by Judith Anketell, CT Radiographer at Belfast Trust, acting as QSI Lead.Catherine Lavery, Western Health and Social Care Trust. Graduating from Ulster University as a Diagnostic Radiographer (2009), Catherine has over 14 years experience in General X-ray and Fluoroscopy, Interventional Radiography and Interventional Cardiology. As the Quality Lead, Catherine is committed to continuous quality improvement, fostering a culture of excellence in imaging services and enhancing patient care and experience.
Richard Gould, Regional Medical Imaging Board. Diagnostic Radiographer graduate from Ulster University (2002), returning 2010-2015 to complete an MSc and PhD in Medical Imaging. Richard has experience in MRI, Interventional Cardiology, Research, Site Management, Quality Management and QSI technical assessment. In 2023 Richard became Senior Project Manager, RMIB, with responsibility as regional QSI Co-Lead along with Maria Wright, the RMIB Senior Programme Manager who created the QSI Lead role in NI and led the group from 2017.
The regional QSI Team meets once per month and alternates between virtual and round table formats. Flexibly has been required to meet the demand of these challenging roles and ambitious programme, our numerous tasks have included:
- Performing and comparing service wide gap analyses
- Offering support and informal peer assessment across organisations
- Sharing learning from our challenges to influence the culture within our imaging services
- Engaging with stakeholders such as medical physics, pharmacy and quality partners to implement new processes
- Volunteering as QSI Technical Assessors, and more recently as QSI Quality Reviewers
- Assessment and escalation of significant challenges via the regional QSI programme structure
- Sharing learning and experience from QSI assessments, recommendations and action plans across NI and with colleagues in the rest of the UK
Together we have helped shape our profession by developing ourselves as leaders with skills in quality improvement and project management. We have extended the career options for radiographers in our region by demonstrating the benefit of our work. We pride ourselves in maximising the potential for imaging services and we now influence our Regional Medical Imaging Board on strategic recommendations in relation to quality and governance.
The Team are made up from a variety of disciplines within the Lincoln radiotherapy department including radiographers, dosimetrists, physicists, admin and assistants. The department moved to the current location in 2001. Everyone works tirelessly to ensure that the patients receive the most advanced and innovative treatments while ensuring a high standard of patient care. The team ensure that all patients irrelevant of stage of treatment are treated with the patient at the centre of the journey. They ensure they provide daily treatment, and support, physically and emotionally, before during and after their time in the department. Always striving to innovate approaches in every facet of their roles.
This a novel collaboration of 8 therapeutic radiographers and a regional navigator from 7 radiotherapy departments in the in the South West. The regional late effects services were established in August 2022 with funding from Macmillan and the SWAG Cancer Alliance to provide symptom support for people following radiotherapy treatment. We have worked to build new clinics, pathways and services for patients to improve equity of care across the region. The services have had over 1000 referrals from all cancer diagnoses ranging from 3 months to more than 50 years since radiotherapy treatment. By working together and collecting core data we are proud to have built effective services that improve patients symptoms and their quality of life. It has been a privilege to work together, learning and supporting each other to really benchmark the role of the therapeutic radiographer beyond treatment.
The SW Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Network (Jo Penman and Bridget Moore) has been central to the delivery of the project and collaboration between the 7 Trusts. The project has extended beyond the Trusts to include cancer alliances, primary care partners and charities.
This award acknowledges the hard work and support of the Heads of the South West Radiotherapy Services, the South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit, Specialised Commissioning Services and most importantly the many patients and advocates who have helped to steer this project.