E226: Michelle Bates and Kim Whitlock - Introduction to the East of England Consultant Radiographer Series

E226: Michelle Bates and Kim Whitlock - Introduction to the East of England Consultant Radiographer Series Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer and cancer treatment. Episode 226: Part of the Education and Workforce Development series (Part 78) Description: In this insightful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Michelle Bates and Kim Whitlock. Michelle began her career as a Therapeutic Radiographer, working across a variety of departments in England, Ireland and New Zealand. These experiences gave her a broad understanding of radiotherapy and sparked her interest in service improvement and the value of collaboration to share learning. She moved into her current role as Radiotherapy Network Manager five years ago, where she supports radiotherapy departments to collaborate effectively, improve access and quality, and keep patient experience at the centre of service delivery. Kim Whitlock is a Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer specialising in breast radiotherapy at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Since qualifying in 2004, she has gained experience across the radiotherapy pathway, from pre-treatment and dosimetry to treatment, supported by an MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy and Oncology Practice. Kim now leads the breast radiotherapy pathway, undertaking patient clinics, consent, volume definition and plan approval, while helping to shape advanced and consultant practice within her Trust. In 2024, she completed an 11-month secondment with NHS England as a Radiography Clinical Fellow, and she now contributes to the Society of Radiographers' advisory and special interest groups. This episode is a deep dive into the East of England Consultant Radiographer Network, why a podcast series on advanced and consultant practice was created, the value of peer support and regional collaboration, the group's impact study, and the debate around fast-track pathways from band 5 to consultant practice. CPD Reflection Points: Working across the four pillars: Kim highlighted that all roles, whatever the level of practice, should work across clinical practice, education, leadership and research. Which of the four pillars do you find hardest to evidence in your current role, and what opportunity could you take over the next year to strengthen it? Peer support and collaboration: Michelle and Kim described how a regional group reduces isolation and stops teams duplicating work in silos. How connected are you to colleagues beyond your own department or Trust, and how could you engage more with your radiotherapy network to share learning and "ask the silly question"? Evidencing your impact: Rather than writing an editorial, the group chose to collect data to show the impact of their roles. How do you currently capture the difference your role makes to patients and services, and how could that evidence support business cases, appraisals or your own career progression? Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form . Links from the Episode: Supporting the workforce: East of England Consultant Radiographer Network – Synergy College of Radiographers Education and Career Framework Research links from the Episode: Multi-professional consultant-level practice capab