A step forwards for the workforce: everything you need to know about the SoR’s first CT Conference

The SoR’s CT Advisory Group has launched its inaugural conference on the speciality, set to bring radiographers from across the country together for focused learning. Synergy asked the organisers what they are most looking forward to

A step forwards for the workforce: everything you need to know about the SoR’s first CT Conference

The SoR’s CT Advisory Group has launched its inaugural conference on the speciality, set to bring radiographers from across the country together for focused learning. Synergy asked the organisers what they are most looking forward to

By Will Phillips

By Will Phillips

By Will Phillips

By Will Phillips

The work of the SoR’s advisory groups is vital to the long-term health of the radiographic profession; these groups bring together like-minded experts for discussion, sharing of best practice and joint advocacy of their chosen field. Together, they support the profession, promote its profile and organise joint learning for interested members. One such group is the Computed Tomography Advisory Group (CTAG), which has launched its first-ever one-day conference on the modality.

On 10 October 2026 members of the SoR will gather at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre for learning, networking and celebrating the skills and knowledge of the CT workforce. Attendees will get a window into contemporary practice developments and the latest in cardiac CT, neuroimaging, professional development and beyond.

The inaugural CT Conference takes place at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre

The inaugural CT Conference takes place at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre

For a chance to improve your own practice and enhance service delivery for CT radiography – or for those looking to stay informed on national priorities – members of the SoR can sign up to attend the event now.

Synergy spoke to members of the advisory group to find out more about the conference’s programme, the speakers and what radiographers can take away from the event.

‘Strengthening the entire service’

Radiography leaders across the UK are being encouraged to invest in their radiographic workforce by supporting attendance at the CT Conference. The latest clinical advances, research and workforce developments shaping the future of CT practice will be on display for all to see.

With demand for CT services continuing to rise, the conference offers a timely opportunity for staff to strengthen their expertise, directly enhance patient care and influence safe and effective service delivery. “The CT Advisory Group has carefully considered the topics that matter most to the workforce in today’s demanding clinical environments,” says Lynda Johnson, professional officer for clinical imaging and radiation protection at the SoR, and the officer supporting the CTAG. “They have appropriately balanced career development, service benchmarking and clinical innovation opportunities to impact the most effective patient outcomes. 

Lynda Johnson, professional officer at the SoR

Lynda Johnson, professional officer at the SoR

“The message to employers is clear: failing to support staff attendance risks missing out on key developments in CT practice, from new clinical techniques to evolving workforce models. Departments that do not engage with these advancements may find themselves lagging behind in service innovation, quality improvement and workforce capability.

“As healthcare systems face increasing pressure, investment in staff development has never been more important. Supporting attendance at this conference represents a practical and impactful step towards building a skilled, confident and future-ready radiography workforce – one that is fully equipped to meet the needs of patients today and tomorrow.

“By enabling radiographers to attend, organisations are not only investing in individual development but strengthening their entire service. The knowledge, skills and networks gained at events like this translate directly into improved patient care.”

Workforce, groundbreaking innovation, clinical advancements 

The programme is packed with forward-thinking content, including insights from the groundbreaking TACTICAL research trial, which aims to refine patient pathways and improve outcomes. Delegates will also gain exposure to emerging practices such as the radiographer’s role in post-mortem CT, an area of growing importance in supporting forensic investigation processes.

Workforce innovation is a strong theme, with sessions exploring contrast supply and administration by radiographers. These talks reflect the evolution of extended roles within imaging teams, complemented by discussions on image interpretation and clinical evaluation – empowering radiographers to play a more active role in clinical decision making and multidisciplinary care.

Clinical advancements will also take centre stage. Presentations on CT perfusion in acute stroke highlight the critical role radiographers play in time-sensitive diagnostics. Meanwhile, discussions on radiographer-led cardiac CT pathways will demonstrate how workforce development can drive service efficiency and improve patient outcomes.

Alongside innovation, quality and safety remain key priorities. Sessions focusing on the national CT dose audit and opportunities for optimising radiation exposure will enable attendees to refine their practice in line with national standards. The introduction of a new framework for CT competencies will support structured workforce development, providing employers with a clear pathway to build resilience in their teams.

Patient in CT scanner

Patient in CT scanner

The conference aligns closely with national professional guidance, including the Society of Radiographers’ publication: A Partnership between Patients, Practitioners and the Public within Imaging and Radiotherapy Services: Guiding Principles. This guidance emphasises collaborative, patient-centred practice – values that are embedded throughout the event programme. The content also supports the College of Radiographers Education and Career Framework for the Radiography Workforce (Fourth Edition), reinforcing the importance of continuous professional development and career progression.

The benefits of attendance extend beyond the conference centre, too; the face-to-face format offers a vital opportunity for networking and collaboration, enabling radiographers to connect with peers, share innovations and build lasting professional relationships. 

These connections form the foundation of communities of practice, which play a crucial role in raising standards, spreading best practice and driving improvement across healthcare systems. “Supporting attendance at the CTAG CT Conference is a valuable opportunity to invest in both staff development and service improvement,” says Tamsin Arnold, advance practice radiographer at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and co-chair of CTAG. “The programme brings together practical insights on emerging clinical practice, workforce development and national benchmarking, all of which can be applied locally to enhance efficiency, strengthen governance and support safe, high-quality patient care.

“Just as importantly, the event offers a chance for staff to build networks, share ideas and bring back learning that benefits the wider team – helping services stay responsive, resilient and aligned with national standards.”

Speakers

Michelle Clark

Lung cancer screening lead and project manager for TACTICAL1 at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Michelle is a respiratory nurse specialist and lung cancer screening lead at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and project manager for the TACTICAL1 study, working in collaboration with the University of Cambridge.
  • Michelle has presented programme findings at BTOG for the past three years and is actively involved in research, serving as site sub PI for the YorQuit and MEDLEY studies.

    Tamsin Arnold

    Advance practice radiographer at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

  • Tamsin is a CT head reporting radiographer with a dual role in radiology governance at University Hospitals Sussex. She chaired the CT Head Reporting Special Interest Group for many years, overseeing its expansion before taking on her current role as joint chair of the CTAG.
  • Hayley Sayer

    Post-mortem imaging superintendent radiographer at University Hospitals of Leicester

  • Hayley has more than nine years experience in post mortem imaging in both adult and paediatrics. Appointed to her current role in December 2023, her position has expanded to include opportunities for teaching, supporting the development of radiographers within this specialist field via a student elective programme and running courses for radiographers to train in PMCT.
  • Jo Jenkins

    Associate director for the Medicines Governance, Medicines Use and Safety Division at the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

  • As the lead for patient group directions and legal mechanisms, Jo advises on PGDs and other medicine supply/administration mechanisms for NHS and NHS-commissioned services in England. She leads on the development of national PGD, protocol and written instruction templates as part of the wider SPS Medicines Governance Do Once programme. Supported by the SPS PGD Advisory Service Reference Group, she oversees the publication of resources on PGD/legal mechanism development and use for the SPS website and wider medicines governance resources. Jo also contributes to the SPS PGD/legal mechanisms query answering service. 
  • Dr Andrew Shah

    Head of radiation safety at Barts Health NHS Trust

  • Andrew is an RPA and MPE and the head of radiation safety at Barts Health NHS Trust. He is part of the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging committee and has led on the most recent national cardiac CT dose audit.
  • Andrew Stephens

    CT speciality manager at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Andrew qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer in 1991 at the Portsmouth School of Radiography and has specialised in CT throughout his career. He has been based at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2002.
  • He has led and contributed to the development of several innovative CT pathways and services, including radiographer‑led contrast services for remote sites and a pathway supporting the detection and community‑based treatment of unsuspected pulmonary embolism in oncology patients.
  • Elizabeth Van Lingen

    CT advanced practitioner at the Royal Cornwall Hospital

  • Liz qualified as a radiographer in 1997 and has been involved in cardiac CT since 2006. She developed the cardiac CT service at her trust in 2018, implementing radiographer led cardiac CT lists. Liz supervises her own cardiac CT lists, overseeing image acquisition and patient safety, ensuring quality diagnostic images are obtained.
  • Much of her work focuses on the training and competencies of radiographers wanting to upskill in this area. Liz is passionate about education and training underpinning service quality.
  • Rahul Modi

    CT radiographer at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust

  • Rahul has always been fascinated by the brain; working in CT allowed him to develop this interest and highlighted how advanced clinical expertise could greatly enhance patient outcomes.
  • Rahul is now a CT consultant radiographer, which involves being an autonomous reporting practitioner, providing neuro-specialist opinion on CT examinations, overseeing the operations of a robust multi-site CT service, taking accountability of efficient service delivery and developing clinical practice to improve provision of patient care within CT.

    Rahuls role provides him with the opportunity to lead innovation, develop pathways, support colleagues growth and ensure the service continues to meet the evolving needs of the population, which are key motivational drivers for Rahul as a professional and individual.

    Lynda Johnson

    Professional officer for clinical imaging at the Society and College of Radiographers

  • Lynda previously worked in the NHS in CT for 26 years and was CT head reporting radiographer for 11 years. She now works with the SoR CTAG and the College of Radiographers Patient Advisory Group. She contributed to the CoR’s A Partnership between Patients, Practitioners and the Public within Imaging and Radiotherapy Services: Guiding Principles, the SoR’s Inclusive pregnancy status guidelines for ionising radiation: Diagnostic and therapeutic exposures and the British Institute of Radiology’s Guidance on using shielding on patients for diagnostic radiology applications
  • An advocate of people-centred care and inclusive practice, she supports the PAG to inform the strategies of the college and society.
  • Federica Palma

    Senior radiographer at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences in Edinburgh

  • Federica has been a member of the CTAG since 2024 and is a specialist radiographer with more than a decade of experience and expertise in CT imaging. Alongside her clinical work, she is strongly committed to supporting radiographers in their ongoing professional development.
  • She currently works as a neuro-radiographer at NHS Lothian. Before moving to Scotland, she worked for several years at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, where she held a range of CT-related senior clinical and educational roles and worked closely with the imaging governance team.
  • An advocate for interprofessional collaboration, workforce development and technology-enhanced learning, she is committed to delivering high-quality patient-centred care.

    Nick Tessier

    Lead superintendent radiographer at West Herts NHS Trust

  • Nick is a highly experienced CT superintendent radiographer with 27 years of expertise in computed tomography, working within a busy NHS district general hospital.
  • He has more than 16 years of experience in performing CT perfusion imaging and has played a key role in establishing CT perfusion services across multiple NHS trusts. This has included delivering lectures in his own time and providing specialist guidance on protocol development and implementation.
  • In 2024, Nick was promoted to Band 8b, largely in recognition of his advanced practice in CT-guided drainage procedures and his significant clinical contribution.
  • In addition to his clinical and leadership roles, Nick is an active member of the CTAG and serves as a specialist adviser to the NHS and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
  • Find out more about the CT Advisory Group

    The CTAG is instrumental in safeguarding the interests of CT service users by developing and promoting safety and best practice. It promotes the role of the professional body and trade union for radiographers in CT imaging and will make recommendations to inform and support the strategy of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) and the College of Radiographers (CoR) within the context of CT.

    Find out more about the group here

    Access the full programme and sign up to attend the event online here.


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