The hard work, dedication, professionalism and resilience of the UK’s military radiographers has been recognised by this year's SoR Radiography Awards.
The nation's military radiographers have scooped the Society’s prestigious UK Team of the Year 2008 Award after SoR member Carrie Kilbey - a senior ultrasonographer at Royal Hospital Haslar - decided it was time that radiographers in the British Armed Forces were publicly honoured.
There are approximately 40 military radiographers working in the UK and abroad, and within the UK their patient base is predominantly NHS.
As the military team spans several regions and countries, the nomination was made through the South East region, where the majority of the military radiographers are based.
Carrie explains: “Military radiographers work alongside their NHS colleagues in a number of Trusts where they build on their training whilst offering the benefit of the experiences they have gained within the military.
"They work across the range of modalities and possess the range of post-graduate skills expected in a group of this size. In addition to their radiography skill sets they also have the military training required of their operational role."
Carrie nominated this unique group of radiographers because of their intense workload under very difficult conditions.
“The current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have meant that radiographers of all three services have been providing an essential diagnostic service in austere environments where they are seeing massive trauma on a regular basis," she continues.
"They provide this service willingly in conditions which are frequently uncomfortable and often dangerous, and I feel that this shows the strength of the the team spirit.
"The military radiographers do not expect recognition for the work they do but I feel that winning this award would be a good way of showing that their efforts and teamwork are appreciated.”
