Cally Palmer, NHS England's National Cancer Director, presenting the 2018 Radiography Awards, thanked the Society for the "great opportunity to promote the work of diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers at the forefront of the workforce on World Radiography Day."
Speaking at the award's ceremony to the assembled guests, Cally said, "All winners and teams being honoured today have demonstrated outstanding patient care, a passion for innovation and improvement and the ability to adapt and excel in a changing workforce."
Held at the Royal College of Physicians, on the edge of Regent's Park, London the awards are the radiography profession's annual opportunity to celebrate the best of the best. Cally presented the prizes, along with Jason Barron, sales manager of the award's sponsor, Carestream Health.
"Radiographers have always been at the centre of evolving technologies in equipment and clinical practice," Cally said.
"In my national role we are emphasising the importance of early and fast detection of cancer to meet our ambition to save more lives.
"This is a precious workforce and we need to recognise and support the development of advanced skills including reporting radiographers in all modalities and advanced specialist radiographers in fluoroscopy.
"In short, optimising the huge strength and skill you all bring to the very best patient care," Cally continued.
"My message is one of deep appreciation for all that you do. Please keep that skill, passion, flexibility and technical excellence at the forefront.
Cally Palmer finished her address with a quote from a patient who expressed her appreciation to the radiographers who looked after her: Diagnosis through treatment was faultless and quick. I always felt like an individual and not just a number. Professional, efficient, caring, friendly. I felt valued and safe.
The 2018 Radiography Overall Award Winners
Dr Helen McNair
UK and London Radiographer of the Year
Lead Research Radiographer, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Humayra Mogra
UK Diagnostic Student Radiographer of the Year
University of Derby
Lily Aston
UK Therapeutic Radiography Student of the Year
Birmingham City University
Post-Mortem Imaging, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
UK and Midlands Radiography Team of the Year
Radiographer of the Year Region/Country Award Winners
Helen Gregory
Eastern
Consultant Macmillan Therapeutic Radiographer in Palliative Oncology, Peterborough City Hospital
David Hill
Midlands
Chief Radiographer, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust
Ben Stenberg
Northern
Consultant Sonographer, Freeman Hospital
Grainne Forsythe
Northern Ireland
Lead Reporting Radiographer, Daisyhill Hospital
Sean Ralph
North West
Therapeutic Radiographer, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Karen Moore
Scotland
Lung Consultant Radiographer, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
Christine Richards
South East
Radiotherapy Services Manager, Maidstone Hospital
Vivien Gibbs
South West
Head of Department, University of the West of England
Helen Hughes
Wales
Head of Quality and Governance (Radiology), Wrexham Maelor Hospital
Nicholas Barlow
Yorkshire and North Trent
Advanced Practitioner, Pinderfields Hospital
Team of the Year Region/Country Award Winners
Eastern
Diagnostics Centre, The Holly Private Hospital
London
General Imaging Radiographers, St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Northern
Cardiac Radiographers, Sunderland Royal Hospital
Northern Ireland
Anomaly Sonographer Team, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
North West
CT Team, Warrington & Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Scotland
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Student Liaison Team
South East
Radiology Team, Western Sussex Hospitals
South West
Radiotherapy Team at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre
Yorkshire and North Trent Joint Winners
Newly Qualified Radiographers, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Radiology, Rotherham Foundation Trust