The Chief Allied Health Professions Officer has recognised a sonographer in an annual awards for strengthening ultrasound governance, education, and workforce strategy.
Catherine Kirkpatrick has been recognised in the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) Gold Awards, which were developed to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence, where a significant, outstanding and exceptional contribution has been made by individual members of the AHP community in England.
This means they have been consistently leading by example, demonstrating strong NHS values and high levels of commitment and quality throughout their role.
Technical and problem-solving
Written by Catherine Kirkpatrick
I am a consultant sonographer within the NHS, specialising in head and neck and interventional ultrasound, ultrasound service development and advanced practice in radiology, education and professional governance.
I work clinically, strategically, and nationally, with a particular focus on improving pathways, safety, and workforce sustainability across radiology and sonography services.
Alongside my clinical role, I am the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) president elect, chair the BMUS Education Group and contribute to national professional standards work, having also been chair of the BMUS professional standards, helping shape training, competency expectations, and quality frameworks for the profession.
I originally entered diagnostic radiography because I was drawn to patient‑centred care combined with the technical and problem‑solving aspects of medical imaging.
Early in my career, I discovered ultrasound and immediately knew it was where I wanted to specialise, its autonomy, diagnostic challenge and close patient contact resonated deeply with me. That early passion has only grown, especially as I’ve progressed into advanced and consultant‑level practice where clinical work, leadership, and education all intersect.
Safer, more sustainable, and better supported
I am humbled by the recognition of my work by the receipt of the CAHPO gold medal. The CAHPO Gold Award for Excellence reflects work I’ve been leading to strengthen ultrasound governance, education, and workforce strategy both locally and nationally:
- Contributing to national conversations on the regulation and professional recognition of sonographers.
- Developing and implementing clinical governance tools that improve safety, consistency, and accountability in ultrasound practice.
- Leading service transformation projects to modernise pathways, reduce inefficiencies and improve patient experience.
- Strengthening education and training infrastructure through my BMUS role, including leading study days, national conferences and high-quality learning resources.
- Promoting research culture and capability within imaging services to support evidence‑based practice.
Ultimately, my aim has been to make ultrasound services safer, more sustainable and better supported and to advocate for those working in them. Receiving the Gold Award is an incredible honour, and one that highlights the impact that consultant practitioners and AHP leaders can have on patient care.
Be curious and keep learning
My advice to others would be to say yes to opportunities, even the unexpected ones. Many of my most rewarding projects began with small steps outside my comfort zone.
Be curious and keep learning, healthcare changes rapidly and staying open to new ideas keeps your practice fresh and relevant. Prioritise collaboration; nothing in healthcare is achieved alone. The most impactful improvements have come from multidisciplinary teamwork and shared vision.
Advocate for your profession; your voice matters. Whether it’s improving local governance or contributing nationally, small contributions accumulate into meaningful change. Remember your purpose, patient care and quality should always be at the heart of everything. When you stay anchored in that, the right decisions follow.
I am also very aware that I am standing on the shoulders of giants. Those who have paved the way have given me opportunities; there are too many to mention in the last 25 years, but I appreciate them all. I hope my journey shows that AHPs and sonographers can shape services, influence policy, and lead meaningful change. If it helps encourage others to step forward, then that is as meaningful as the award itself.
I have been proud to be a Diagnostic Radiographer and have enjoyed engaging with SoR from being a third-year student, and now working alongside SoR, promoting sonography is a privilege.
CAHPO Awards
The full list of recipients for the CAHPO Gold Award for Excellence 2026 can be found below:
- Angela Abbott, Podiatrist
- Ben Roe, Radiographer
- Catherine Kirkpatrick, Consultant sonographer
- Dr Ione de Brito Ashurst, Dietitian
- Julie Dowdney, Orthoptist
- Katie Ellis, AHP support worker
- Nigel Wong, Paramedic
- Sahra Jalali, Physiotherapist
- Taibat Ezike, Dietitian
Find out more about the awards online now.
(Image: Catherine Kirkpatrick)