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Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging hosts skills workshop day
Attendees at the Communication Skills Workshop Day
Attendees at the Communication Skills Workshop Day
The Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging (SABI) hosted a Communication Skills Workshop Day, where attendees learned about the Know, Encourage Warmth (KEW) model.
SABI is based in Glasgow and delivers all mammography training for Scotland. Practitioners working in the Scottish Breast Screening Programme (SBSP) and the Scottish Symptomatic Breast Service attended the skills workshop.
To prepare for the workshop, Simon Holmes, SABI lead, reached out to Josie Cameron, a breast advanced radiographer from the Edinburgh Cancer Centre. Josie helped to develop the KEW model in collaboration with a clinical psychologist and a health psychologist.
The day saw attendees learn how to deal with patient concerns about diagnosis and treatment, along with how to conduct difficult conversations. SBSP staff also requested a session on how to break bad news, allowing for an increased focus on staff wellbeing.
Feedback from the day praised how the workshop made space for attendees to share their experiences with each other, and also improve their person-centred approach to communication.
Going forward, the workshop is set to be delivered annually.
Co-chair of the SoR’s MRI for radiotherapy planning group on bridging the gap between MRI and cancer care
As part of MRI Safety Week earlier this year, SoR News spoke to Serena West, co-chair of the newly established MRI for radiotherapy planning group, about what the group offers members and how it’s built on such an important concept.
Serena is a pre-treatment clinical specialist radiographer for MRI at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in Newcastle. As co-chair of the MRI for radiotherapy planning SIG, she shares responsibilities with Sharon Cave, a Diagnostic Radiographer at Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Sharon set up the group in September 2023.
The group has a number of aims, including promoting best practice and developing a collaborative approach. It also looks to share research and expertise and take advantage of CPD opportunities.
Serena felt inspired to promote collaboration between colleagues in MRI cancer care after the Northern Centre for Cancer Care received an MRI scanner.
“Back in 2008, I think we were only one of two centres that had an MRI scanner dedicated in our building,” Serena explained. “We basically had to teach ourselves what to do – how to advance, how to develop, how to take any of it forward.
“We realised we needed to look out for each other, and we needed support from other departments… it made sense to have this group so that we can enable each other.”
MRI Safety Week poster competition winners announced
Lisa Cox
Lisa Cox
During MRI Safety Week, which took place on 21-25 July, the SoR announced the winners of its first-ever MRI Safety Week poster competition.
The competition was created by the MR Advisory Group to promote the importance of MRI safety and to raise awareness of safe working.
The overall winner for 2025 was Lisa Cox, a senior research and MRI radiographer at the Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust. Lisa has been a radiographer for more than 20 years.
On her winning poster, Lisa said she hoped it could be used as a checklist for referrers and patients.
“Referrers and patients are often unaware of all of the MRI safety considerations that we need to check; hopefully this poster can be used as a useful checklist!” she said. “I’m passionate about MRI safety and wanted my design to provide as much information for referrers as possible. Choosing this category also meant I could incorporate considerations such as patient preparation.”
Lisa’s poster is available to download here.
In memory
Dr Maureen McPake
Dr Maureen McPake passed away at home early afternoon on 12 July 2025. Beloved wife to Dave and much loved by brother Vin, sister-in-law Hazel, nephew Calum, nieces Kirsten and Lucy and extended family.
Read the full tribute to Maureen here.
Paul Lowe
The loss of a much-loved colleague and friend, Paul Lowe, principal radiographer MRI, was announced in July. Paul, or ‘Big Lad’ as he was affectionately known to many, was the true heart of the MRI department at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Read the full tribute to Paul here.
Steve Milner
Steve Milner receiving a Fellowship for the College of Radiographers from 2018-19 SoR president Sue Webb
Steve Milner receiving a Fellowship for the College of Radiographers from 2018-19 SoR president Sue Webb
Steve Milner passed away on 1 August. A radiographer and Fellow of the SoR, Steve was a ‘colossus’ in the world of radiography education throughout his 40-year career.
Read the full tribute to Steve here.
Sandra Morrissey
Sandra Morrissey, lecturer, sonographer and radiographer, passed away at home on 28 May surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband Stephen and their two children.
Read the full tribute to Sandra here.
Karl Nottage SB St J. BSc (Hons)
Karl Nottage, a devoted radiographer, has died unexpectedly at the age of 53. Karl was a loving husband to Dawn and a proud father to Abbie and step-father to Nick.
Read the full tribute to Karl here.
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