Brian Hewitt, Therapeutic Radiographer, sadly passed away two years ago on 2 October, 2022.
His wife Louise Hewitt, his family and his radiotherapy colleagues wanted to help celebrate World Radiography Day with a special remembrance of his life and contribution to his work as a Therapeutic Radiographer.
After gaining his radiography degree from Keele University in 1997, Brian commenced his professional career at the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology on the Wirral where he worked until 2008, having had a year’s break to travel around Australia and also to work as a locum at the Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston.
Brian worked as a senior pre-treatment radiographer and also with the specialised mould room team.
In 2008 he took up a Senior 1 pre-treatment post in the radiotherapy department at the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, where his prior mould room experience proved invaluable. In addition to becoming an integral part of the pre-treatment leadership team, Brian took on the role of industrial relations representative for the Society of Radiographers, which he had some experience of while at Clatterbridge.
He was very passionate about this role and supported the interests of many of his colleagues over the years in a wide variety of difficult circumstances. This led him to become a matcher for the NHS Agenda for Change Job Evaluation Scheme.
He was a keen and frequent attendee at a broad range of radiography related conferences and embarked on an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice Radiotherapy and Oncology, which he was awarded posthumously in November 2022 at Sheffield Hallam University.
World Radiography Day was always an important date in the calendar for Brian. He was so passionate about his career and wanted to spread the word and raise the profile of the excellent work radiographers do.
He encouraged all staff to take part by wearing badges, talking to patients about their role and there was always a very eye-catching display in the department explaining the radiographer’s role and how it was a valuable and rewarding career.
Patients and relatives were always very interested to read it and learn more about radiotherapy as a career.
Brian was a good humoured, highly principled, yet mild mannered Scouser who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind when he needed to. He had eclectic taste in music and an incredibly wide range of interests including astronomy, the digeridoo, dancing, fencing and triathlons.
He enjoyed a drink and could be found at many a real ale festival over the years.
He is greatly missed by his wife Louise, his family, all his friends and colleagues at the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre and the wider radiotherapy community.