Radiographer becomes UK's second-ever nuclear medicine consultant at 29

A radiographer at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has achieved the title of consultant nuclear medicine, becoming the second ever person in the UK to do so.

Rose Hazell-Evans is a consultant radiographer and nuclear medicine service manager at the age of just 29.

She has become the second ever to become a radiographer in nuclear medicine in the UK, following in the footsteps of Jo Weekes, who achieved the position in 2019.

'Very proud'

Ms Hazell-Evans said she was “very proud” of achieving the title so young.

She leads on the provision of the nuclear medicine imaging service, including ensuring equipment is run in a safe, efficient and effective manner, while maintaining an expert level of technical knowledge within the modality.

Ms Hazell-Evans also manages the department budget and provides clinical support to nuclear medicine radiographers and technologists.

Reports from Ms Hazell-Evans include: DMSAs, MAG3s, thyroid, lacrimals, bone scans, parathyroid scans and gastric emptying tests.

As part of her role, she takes the employer’s responsibility for the Health Service England consent for administration of radioactive substances, and in conjunction with the Radioactive Waste Advisors applies for relevant Environment Agency permits for the disposal of radioactive substances.

'Complex learning while working full time'

Ms Hazell-Evans completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Suffolk in diagnostic radiography. After graduating in 2015, she immediately went on to start a part-time MSc in nuclear medicine at King’s College London, while working clinically.

She has since gone on to finish a Postgraduate Diploma in advanced practice at the University of West England, which was focused towards nuclear medicine reporting.

Currently, Ms Hazell-Evans is undertaking a Postgraduate Certification in leadership and management in health and social care.

She said: “Throughout my career I have continuously been undertaking postgraduate study/additional complex learning alongside working full time. I am so incredibly grateful to the department for supporting this role and its development."

'Exciting to reach this level of practice'

She added: “My consultant radiologist mentor and the consultant body as a whole have been very supportive, along with supportive management and I think that is a testament to the positive working environment we have here. In general I think it is really exciting that radiographers in Nuclear Medicine are able to reach this level of practice - a precedent set by Jo Weekes.”

Anthony Bennett, former head of nuclear medicine at West Suffolk Hospital, was invited back in order to mark Ms Hazell-Evans’ achievement.

He said: “Rose, who is not yet 30, has worked incredibly hard to obtain this position, selflessly supported by her two colleagues.”