People

Professor Peter Hogg celebrated for ‘outstanding contribution’

The British Nuclear Medicine Society has recognised Diagnostic Radiographer and emeritus professor Peter Hogg for his “outstanding contribution” to nuclear medicine.

The UK-based forum for all aspects of nuclear medicine dedicated the British Nuclear Medicine Society’s (BNMS) Radiographers, Technologists and Nurses Award to Professor Peter Hogg in recognition of the support he had given to the profession.

Professor Hogg, professor at the University of Salford, said he was “deeply honoured” to be receiving the award, which he added was “completely unexpected and came out of the blue.” He was given the award during the BNMS Annual Spring Meeting 2024, which took place in Belfast from 13-15 May.

Obituary: Lesley Williams

In March of this year, it was with the deepest sorrow that the radiotherapy team at the Sussex Cancer Centre bid a sad and sudden farewell to their irreplaceable colleague Lesley Williams. 

Lesley's dedication and discernment shaped the service for over 35 years, and while her professional legacy will endure for many more years to come, the personal loss is deeply felt by the great many people she befriended and supported during those years.

Lesley joined Brighton after qualifying at Addenbrookes in 1986, and initially intended to spend a couple of years on the south coast before moving on to pastures new. 

However, it was the team’s great fortune that Lesley remained and became a cornerstone of the department and, having spent her career working across every aspect of radiotherapy, was appointed to the role of radiotherapy quality manager in 2001. 

Her impressive ability to decipher the panoply of technical information and professional guidance underpinning radiotherapy meant she was a huge asset to the entire multi-professional team. 

By providing a strong sense of organisational cohesion, Lesley helped the service navigate huge changes, including the addition of two satellite units and the introduction of new technical services such as HDR brachytherapy and tomotherapy.

Lesley partially retired in 2022 to pursue her interests in flora and fauna, participate in local wildlife charities and travel the UK and abroad. 

Nevertheless, she retained a key role in the department by contributing her governance expertise two days a week. 

As Lesley stepped back, she continued to embody the passion and dedication to a profession that is not always easy, but bound together by a common thread of camaraderie, good humour, professional respect and a desire to do the absolute best for every patient. Through all of the changes and challenges of the past three decades, Lesley was always able to connect people together and signpost the best route to improved safety, quality and understanding. 

She was a highly-respected professional and a caring individual who was committed to keeping her colleagues and patients safe and well.

First Valerie Carr Award bursary recipient registers as Therapeutic Radiographer

The first Valerie Carr Award recipient has now registered with the HCPC and begun a role as Therapeutic Radiographer, marking the success of the bursary.

Run by the College of Radiographers, the Valerie Carr Award supports individuals to study and graduate in therapeutic radiography in England and Wales, and was awarded for the first time ever in 2021.

Rhiannon Thomas used the bursary provided by the award to complete a pre-registration postgraduate diploma in radiotherapy and oncology at the University of Liverpool.

Before this, she was a specialist radiation and medical oncology veterinary nurse responsible for patient care and anaesthetic management in the radiotherapy department.

The Valerie Carr Award has now opened its fourth annual application round. Funded by a charitable legacy, the VCA furthers radiotherapy education and training through a student bursary programme. Applications will close at 2pm on 30 September 2024.

Individuals in Wales and England whose circumstances would otherwise prevent them from becoming Therapeutic Radiographers are eligible, and up to five awards are made each year.

Recipients have their tuition fees paid for up to three years in England, and in Wales are offered substantial grants.

To find out if you are eligible to apply, click here. 

Sonographer Dr Ruth Reeve wins multiple research grants

Clinical academic sonographer Dr Ruth Reeve has been awarded multiple grant awards to support growing research activity for radiographers. 

Ruth has been awarded funds to build a Wessex Radiographer Research Forum from NHS England South East and has been awarded a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Clinical Practitioner Award worth over £400,000, which will enable Ruth to continue her post-doctoral research career which includes improving radiographer/sonographer research.

Completing her PhD in 2023 as a clinical-academic fellow, Ruth is a strong advocate for supporting research in clinical environments and clinical-academic careers, and she now seeks to target the College of Radiographers research strategy aim: To expand UK radiography research capacity through development of skilled and motivated research active professionals.

Ruth has begun her work in the region evaluating the current research culture and is due to start her five-year NIHR award later this year whilst working in the ultrasound department in Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. 

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