The Clinical and Radiation Physics department contains 16 team members, including administrative staff, Healthcare Science Practitioners, Clinical Scientists and Radiographers. The department provides governance and assurance alongside scientific and technical services for diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation protection within the NHS, private, and academic sectors.
In Plymouth, the Clinical and Radiation Physics department has an excellent reputation with both internal and external customers. We work closely with our clinical colleagues to deliver high-quality, safe, and patient-centred radiological imaging, and therapy services to our service users as well as radiation protection to both staff and patients. We work collaboratively with colleagues in other departments across the southwest.
We as a department provide scientific support to the West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Programme and have outstanding organisational relationships with Research and Development (R&D), Medical Imaging, and other Service Lines as an onsite service provider.
Rob Loader and Kate de Burgh, Joint Heads of Clinical and Radiation Physics
“We are immensely proud of the team that is Clinical and Radiation Physics. We provide scientific and technical support to the safe and compliant uses of ionising radiations and focus on the development of our team in support of improvements in patient experience.
We provide our support throughout a multitude of clinical services within the Trust and to external organisations in a hugely diverse set of workstreams. We work collaboratively with clinicians and other professional groups to support the introduction of new diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, fostering close working relationships expected as part of an in-house Physics service to a large University teaching hospital.
We aim to nurture an improvement culture, optimising our imaging studies and testing method, where any member of the team can share ideas and suggest new ways of working. The group is well placed to champion the continued development of a strong radiation safety culture, using our knowledge to influence and empower others. As a unique and highly specialised workforce we aim to operate collaboratively with other Trusts, integrated Care Systems and Imaging Networks. In doing so we can build resilience to our combined services, increase efficiency and support the wider development of Healthcare Scientists in pursuit of patient care.
We are a growing team of approximately 16 Healthcare Scientists and trainees, providing a mixture of roles that all play a part in making the group so much better than its sum. Committed to training our workforce of tomorrow, both internally and through apprenticeships, national programmes of study, and certified roles, the aim is to support our team to realise their potential whilst placing a strong emphasis on health and wellbeing.”
Your career at University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP)
Clinical and Radiation Physics are an onsite Physics service to University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and we have built up close working relationships with our colleagues throughout. We are directly integrated into the management of our Trust, permitting wider personal development in leadership, governance, and research and development. The South West has established numerous professional networks in Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Protection and Mammography – recognising the importance of learning from each other and sharing scarce resources.
Around the hospital, we have a range of cafes and a restaurant, onsite leisure facilities (staff gym membership and pay-as-you-go options available), and shops including M&S Simply Food, WH Smiths and Costa Coffee. Find out more about what UHP has to offer
Expertise in Clinical and Radiation Physics Department
Clinical and Radiation Physics is a well-published and academically active department. Examples of professional activities include:
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Editors for Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) report series
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IPEM Scope articles
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British Institute of Radiology (BIR) working party members for guidance on using patient contact shielding in diagnostic radiology.
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Published methods to safely introduce mobile CT onto the Neuro Intensive Care Ward.
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Members of NHS Breast Screening programme working parties for the QA of mammography X-Ray systems.
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Supporting the early adoption of Computerised Tomography Cardiac Angiography (CTCA) as part of an MDT.
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IPEM and BIR Radiation Protection and Diagnostic Radiology Special Interest Group Members.
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Contributors to BIR advice sheets in Radiation Protection.
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Proffered Papers and presentations at a range of meetings and conferences (BNMS, RPA/RWA Updates/UKIO/UKMPG/IPEM etc.).
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Department provides external assessors for the ACS Route (Clinical Scientist) Training Scheme.
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Departmental external Mentors for PTP training (Clinical Technologist)
Training and development
Derriford Hospital is the largest specialist teaching hospital in the South West Peninsula and the region’s major trauma centre. Our specialist services include Interventional Radiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renal transplantation, pancreatic cancer surgery, and Neurosurgery. We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Plymouth and working with Plymouth Marjon University.
Our Trust operates the Peninsula Radiology Academy which provides state-of-the-art facilities, and materials to support the training and development of FRCR training for Consultant Radiologists. Trainees move between hospital Trusts in the Peninsula opening excellent opportunities for research, development, and audit within Diagnostic Radiology.
Research
Clinical and Radiation Physics involvement in clinical trials is two-fold: for clinical trials originating in the Trust, the Medical Physics Experts (MPE) set the radiation constraints for each of the procedures and supply the trial investigator with the risk of cancer arising from this imaging.
MPEs ensure that the Trust can comply with the imaging procedure constraints given by the persons running the trial. In this way, Clinical and Radiation Physics ensures that risks are minimised by safeguarding trial participants are fully appraised of any risk they are taking by agreeing to do the trial.
The department has published extensively and encourages research and development activity that safely introduces and / or optimises diagnostic and therapeutic uses of ionising radiations.
Development of Facilities
Selected as one of 40 hospitals to benefit from the government’s Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP2) funding as part of the New Hospital Programme, there are exciting plans to develop Derriford Hospital. In phase 1 of the development, the focus is on delivering improved provisions for urgent and emergency care with the new facility at Derriford Hospital.
We will be involved in the development of a new Emergency Care centre, which will include capacity dedicated Interventional Radiology theatres, containing five hybrid theatres bringing real-time diagnostic imaging capabilities into the operating theatre, treating patients quickly and improving patient outcomes.
Wellbeing
Jude Page, wellbeing champion
Clinical and Radiation Physics has a wellbeing champion to link between the departmental staff and Trust wellbeing and support network and can be useful in many ways.
As a champion, I can offer a listening and supportive environment for staff to either have a “cuppa and catch up”, or to provide signposting to more formal or appropriate support. I circulate emails highlighting any initiatives the Trust is participating in, raising awareness around mental health and general wellbeing.
We socialise within work hours by getting together for team lunches, as well as meeting outside the working environment to build a supportive and inclusive team. We celebrate individual achievements by sharing good news regularly at team meetings.
Being a well-being champion has helped me become more self-aware of my well-being, and I can use my skills and experiences to support others.
Our Staff
Emma O’Shaughnessy, Consultant Physicist in Nuclear Medicine
Emma O’Shaughnessy joined the Clinical and Radiation Physics department in April 2022 as a Consultant Physicist in Nuclear Medicine. Here’s why this job appealed to her:
What attracted you to your role and working at Derriford?
Nuclear Medicine physics is a fascinating and varied career where no two days are the same. After doing my physics degree I wanted to use this knowledge for the greater good so I was delighted when I found Medical Physics as a career. As I’m people-orientated, specialising in Nuclear Medicine was an easy decision as I get to see a lot of patients which adds variety but also allows me to see the benefit of the treatment we can give. The area around Derriford Hospital is beautiful and I love being in Dartmoor with all the outdoor pursuits that it brings. The beaches in the area, are also stunning and it’s great having those nearby. Friends and family also love coming to visit.
What do you enjoy about your role and working at Derriford?
I work as part of a really welcoming and lovely multidisciplinary team which is great to be part of. We all work well for the benefit of patients with each group bringing their skills to the party. As physicists, this mostly involves radiation protection and ensuring treatments and tests that we do are optimised and equipment is working properly for the correct diagnosis.
What do you do in your spare time around the South West?
Walking and spending time on the moors or by the beach are my favourite things to do. Having a young family, it’s great that there are always things going on in the area such as food festivals and outdoor events such as the National Firework Championships in Plymouth.
Staff stories
Corey Lyth
I started working at Derriford Hospital on 2020 as part of my scientist training where I was quickly integrated into the Clinical and Radiation Physics Team during my specialist modules. I was offered a substantive contract midway through my training where it was incredibly encouraging to feel that my efforts in the department up to that point had been valued.
I have since been working as a clinical scientist across imaging and nuclear medicine physics following my HCPC registration in October 2023. Everyone in the team has been incredibly supportive throughout my time here and I have no doubt that this will continue as I develop my career further.
Nathan Kimball-Smith
I joined the Clinical and Radiation Physics team in 2022 and so far, the department has helped me achieve competency in testing various imaging services provided in Plymouth. I am being supported through a structured training program to become a Clinical Scientist and have the opportunity to stay in the department after registration to further my learning. The Clinical and Radiation Physics team is a close-knit supportive unit who value the skills of everyone no matter what level of experience they are at and encourage professional development.
Polly Serpell
After completing the Scientist Training Programme (STP) in Radiotherapy, I moved over to work in the Clinical and Radiation Physics department so I could remain based in Plymouth.
I had a lot to learn as I had missed out on the STP specialism training, so I relied heavily on my colleagues to show me the ropes. It didn’t take long for me to settle in as everyone was very approachable and willing to go out of their way to support me. I feel lucky to be part of such a great team and would highly recommend the department as a place to work.
Alice Banks
I am currently working towards a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration. This covers several topics including problem-solving skills, Improving business processes, and career development.
As part of this, I am also writing a report on a business improvement project. I am using my skills developed by this apprenticeship to operate within the team forming the dosimetry service at University Hospitals Plymouth. In doing so, I have developed a better understanding of the role of the Clinical and Radiation Physics department, improved processes, and have gained confidence in seeking feedback from different stakeholders.
Pay and Benefits
We offer
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27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years service
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Generous NHS pension plan.
Joining us
All our vacancies are advertised online. You will need to create an account to fill out an application form.
We currently do not have any vacancies, please keep checking this page for updates.
Contact us
If you would like to know more about clinical and radiation physics, discuss opportunities or arrange an informal visit to the department, please contact:
Rob Loader, Head of Clinical and Radiation Physics, robert.loader@nhs.net
Kate de Burgh, Head of Clinical and Radiation Physics, k.deburgh@nhs.net
Jackie Hoare, Deputy Head of Clinical and Radiation Physics, Jackie.hoare@nhs.net
01752 (4)39669
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