Charlotte May on her journey from radiography to palliative care: ‘Take the risk if it feels right’

‘Innovative and bold’ were the two words that stood out to Diagnostic Radiographer Charlotte May when she moved into her new role in hospice care.

Palliative care was never part of the career plan when Charlotte first began her studies as a radiographer, but her own experience with loss just a few years after graduation had planted a seed. In 2025, Charlotte’s uncle passed away unexpectedly – an event that would later inspire her to embark on an unusual career move from radiography to hospice care.

Following a chance encounter with a volunteer at a charity shop run by the Mountbatten Group, a charity hospice provider based across Southampton and the Isle of Wight, Charlotte began to consider a new role outside of clinical care. “Part of the Mountbatten strategy is about normalising conversations about death, dying and bereavement, and the support given to the community to feel more comfortable with these conversations,” says Charlotte. “I found it really powerful. One of Mountbatten’s values is about being ‘innovative and bold’. Those words really stuck out to me, because I think there is something important in taking risks.”

With that inspiration ringing in her ears, Charlotte sought out a role within the Mountbatten Group, and now serves as quality lead across Mountbatten Hampshire and Mountbatten Isle of Wight.

Synergy caught up with her to ask more about that role, her journey to get there from radiography and why she thinks radiographers have an opportunity to bring their expertise to unexpected corners of healthcare.

Charlotte (front middle) pictured in the X-ray department on her last day of work at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Getting started in radiography

The first step on Charlotte’s journey to her current role began aged 17, on a hospital open day at University Hospital Southampton. Seeing X-rays on display for the event sparked a connection to her own interest in art, drawing and anatomy.

Charlotte began her studies in diagnostic radiography at the University of Portsmouth in 2019 and graduated in 2022. Her first role was in general X-ray at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – but it was there that Charlotte found herself drawn to greater responsibilities outside of clinical work.

During daily life as a radiography, Charlotte found herself increasingly interested in wellbeing and health and safety, which soon became a passion for audits and quality improvement. Soon, Charlotte was helping to kickstart initiatives to support colleagues.

While working as a radiographer, Charlotte was also one of a few students who embarked on the SoR’s Leadership Mentoring Scheme (LMS), in 2022. The LMS helps radiography professionals move into senior leadership and service manager roles with the help of experienced mentors.

‘It’s about being able to challenge yourself, stpping outside of your box and making yourself uncomfortable’

One of the key things Charlotte says she learned during the scheme was that career paths do not need to follow a straight line. She had assumed that qualifying as a radiographer meant her next steps were to focus on moving up the Agenda for Change pay bands – but it was on the LMS that she first thought to broaden her career perspectives. “Not everyone’s path is linear,” she says. “It can take you all different places, but it will take you where you need to go. It’s also about being able to challenge yourself, stepping outside of your box and making yourself uncomfortable. That’s where some of the best lessons are learned.”

The placement gave Charlotte an understanding, she explains, of the difference between leadership and management, and introduced her to radiographers from across the country.

Radiographers also deal with high-pressure situations on every da, an important skill Charlotte says she has now carried over to her new role in hospice care.

It was following the completion of the LMS, and particularly reflecting on the importance of trying something different, that Charlotte took the leap to apply for the role with Mountbatten.

Charlotte (front middle) pictured in the X-ray department on her last day of work at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Turning point

In 2025, Charlotte’s uncle, with whom she was very close, passed away suddenly. “It was a challenging time for our family, especially his daughters,” she says. “That turned on my thinking. I’d also lost other family members to cancer, but this was a pivotal turning point for me, in thinking more about death and dying.

“It made me take a bit of a step back because it was a different type of grief that I was feeling. Each time I’ve experienced grief it’s been different, whether because of the type of love or relationship you have, or because you’re grieving different people as individuals… It got me passionate about end-of-life care.”

‘This was a really pivotal turning point for me, in thinking more about death and dying’

Passion only turned into action, however, after a chance encounter with a volunteer at a Mountbatten Group charity shop in Southampton later that year. The conversation prompted her to look into the organisation more, and Charlotte connected deeply with their vision for palliative care. “I didn’t think I would end up working here,” she says. “I applied partly because of my personal experience with death, dying and end of life.”

Charlotte began her work as quality lead for the Mountbatten Group in summer 2025 and say’ she has already been involved in dozens of initiatives.

‘One of the best things I’ve done in my career’

A lot of the experience so far has been Charlotte familiarising herself with local systems, shadowing different teams she needed to work with and understanding which projects fall under her remit. “It was definitely a change from what I was used to,” she admits. “It’s also gone from shift work to normal hours!”

She’s quickly discovered what a broad remit the quality lead has: Charlotte is working with Leicester University to create a patient feedback survey, working to develop the mandatory Patient Safety Instant Response Framework into a form fit for hospice care, and developing the group’s audit framework to ensure evidencing is done effectively, all while maintaining day-to-day quality checks.

Charlotte also serves as the deputy safeguarding lead, responsible for overseeing policies, training and strategic responses to protect children and adults at risk from abuse or neglect, and deputy controlled drugs accountable officer.

She explains that there are also various patient safety groups related to tissue viability, falls and medications. With end-of-life care often requiring such varied and constant treatment, these teams meet regularly to discuss ideas for improvement within the hospice. “I’ve learned an awful lot,” Charlotte adds. “Learning the processes and going from radiography to palliative care – it’s been a lot to take on and learn. I have a different outlook on things, though, just having a different background [from most staff]. That’s helped me.

‘One of the most important things for me is that I enjoy every day’

“In the beginning, I definitely had imposter syndrome. I don’t know of anyone who’s gone out of a career like radiography into end-of-life care before. I kept wondering: ‘Have I done the right thing?’”

Luckily, the team at Mountbatten have been extremely supportive. From staff to volunteers to the people being cared for and their families and friends – everywhere along the way, there’s a positive attitude, she says. “One of the most important things for me is that I enjoy every day,” Charlotte adds. “Every day is different. I enjoy working with the teams – and going backwards and forwards on the [Isle of Wight] ferry! Although it initially felt very daunting and scary, it is one of the best things I’ve done in my career so far.”

But Charlotte is also still passionate about her first career and continues to work as a bank radiographer. “I still really enjoy working with the team – they’re really supportive,” she says. “And I still really enjoy radiography.”

Stepping out of her comfort zone gave Charlotte the opportunity to grow, to learn lessons and to get feedback from people who have helped her to succeed. Now that she’s reaped the rewards of taking that leap of faith, she’s eager to encourage others to follow in her footsteps. “Look at courses that might support your interests outside of work, or places that may support you in doing that,” she says.

“Take the risk if it feels right, if it’s something that aligns with you and what you want. Take the risk if it is something you feel called to do, even if it doesn’t feel like you should be there. You’re likely meant to be there.”

Charlotte May (centre) with deputy ward manager Sarah Withers (left) and Mary Banks, head of rehabilitation and enablement at the Mountbatten Group

Find out more about the SoR Leadership Mentoring Scheme

The SoR Leadership Mentoring Scheme is designed to support members who wish to move into senior leadership roles. Each year it accepts a cohort of mentees who will receive one to one mentoring from senior leaders within the profession.

More information can be found online here.

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