“We all should celebrate who we are and what we do every day”

Katie Thompson
UK Council member 
South-West region

In 1990, I began my training as a diagnostic radiographer at Lincoln School of Radiography, later qualifying as a sonographer. I now train the midwives to perform presentation scanning, and have also set up a training programme for the obs and gynae doctors in gynae and early pregnancy scanning, for which I was named South-West Deanery Trainer of the Year.

In 2012, I became an industrial relations rep, representing the radiology, ultrasound and breast care departments at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon. I was named South-West Rep of the Year in 2019, the year I collected my long-service award for 25 years in the NHS. 

Previously, I have been an elected member of the Delegates Conference Council, which helps to organise the Annual Delegates Conference. I am also the current chair of the South-West Reps Committee.

What I stand for

I became part of UK Council to help promote the radiography profession and represent the interests of all Society members. And that is what is important – to represent the views and interests of the members, help move the SoR forward and continue to make it a strong, respected and supportive organisation. It has been a great learning experience, with training covering governance, communication and investment. We all should celebrate who we are and what we do every day. I would love to continue the great work currently being done to make the SoR a sustainable organisation and maintain our commitment to supporting all our members in an equal, respectful and inclusive way. 

“If we don’t speak up for ourselves, nobody else will”

Vas Nevrides
UK Council member 
London region

I started training as a diagnostic radiographer in 2009 at King’s College Hospital and London South Bank University. I am still working at King’s today and it has been a fulfilling journey.

I have always been passionate about supporting my colleagues and I was an industrial relations rep for five years before I joined UK Council in 2018. I was fully engaged with the staff side, making sure radiographers were recognised and respected.

If we don’t speak up for ourselves, nobody else will. The SoR membership is vital in developing the future of the profession and guiding the direction of the organisation as a trade union and professional body. As a membership organisation, it is guided by you. If I were to be elected by you, I would represent every member to the best of my ability.

My priorities

Representation of the whole radiography workforce is paramount. There have been recent strides forward to improve student engagement and tackle gender inequalities. However, there is still work to be done in widening participation and strengthening representation, such as workplace recognition of the menopause and its debilitating effects, more work on supporting neurodivergence and better engagement with BME members. As a clinical practice educator, I know the importance of protected and regular CPD time at work. And also having the time to attend training courses and conferences. Ensuring that we continue to become a greener and more sustainable organisation will fulfil another of the six priorities laid out in the SoR strategy.

President
Ross McGhee
president@sor.org

President Elect
Dave Pilborough
david.pilborough@nhs.net

Vice-President
Tom Welton 
thomas.welton@lthtr.nhs.uk

Chair of Council
Claire Donaldson BSc (Hons)
claire.donaldson@nhs.scot