The Society has applauded the decision to grant Professor Mike Richards a knighthood in the New Year’s honours list for his contribution to the NHS over the past three decades.
In a letter, Richard Evans, the Society’s chief executive, congratulated the newly appointed Sir Mike Richards.
‘The Society and College of Radiographers is delighted to be involved closely with the National Cancer Initiative and we are grateful for the opportunities you have provided for our profession to be well represented and to increase our influence through this work,' he says.
Richard pays tribute to Professor Richards' personal style and communication skills, commenting: ‘radiographers throughout the UK recognise your contribution positively and regard your work as presenting opportunities rather than pressures!’
He continues: ‘Your passion to improve services at a patient experience level resonates very much with health professionals and patients everywhere.'
A distinguished career
Professor Richards first qualified as a doctor in 1977, going on to train in medical oncology as an ICRF research fellow at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Almost 10 years later, he was appointed senior lecturer in medical oncology at the ICRF breast unit at Guy’s Hospital.
He became a clinical director at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in 1991 and then chair of Palliative Medicine at St Thomas’ in 1995; a position which led to him to be appointed the first National Cancer Director at the Department of Health in October 1999.
It was at this time that Professor Richards began working alongside the Society to set up radiotherapy workforce meetings which led to increased commissions and the testing of the 4 tier career progression framework.
Over the next decade he led the development of several major NHS campaigns, beginning with the NHS Cancer Plan in 2000.
He became closely involved in the establishment of the National Cancer Research Institute in 2001, becoming chairman in 2006, whilst also becoming co-chair of NRAG (a DH group established to address delivering world class radiotherapy services for England).
During 2007, he led the development of the Cancer Reform Strategy, as well as guiding the development of the End of Life Care Strategy, which was published in the summer of 2008.
Prior to his recent knighthood, Professor Richards was appointed CBE in the 2001 New Year’s honours and awarded the Hambro Macmillan Fellowship for his contribution to cancer services in 2003.
