IPEM Fellow is new President of the Society for Radiological Protection

AN IPEM Fellow has become the President of the Society for Radiological Protection.

Jim Thurston, who is Head of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at Dorset County Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, took up the role at SRP’s recent Annual Conference in Bournemouth.

He studied Applied Physics at John Moores University in Liverpool and subsequently undertook a MSc at Brunel University in Medical Radiation Physics.

Mr Thurston’s career started in 1987, working in nuclear medicine at Charing Cross Hospital, before moving to work in the Radiation Protection Service at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.  He has subsequently worked in medical physics at a number of London teaching hospitals before moving to Dorchester in 2020.  He became a certificated Radiation Protection Adviser in 1996, and a Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP) in 2008.

In his current post at Dorset County Hospital, Mr Thurston is responsible for managing the medical physics and clinical engineering services in uses of both ionising and non-ionising radiations, including diagnostic x-rays, ultrasound, lasers, ultraviolet therapies, as well as the provision of support to all medical devices used in the hospital.

Mr Thurston said: 'It is a huge honour and privilege to serve as President of the Society for Radiological Protection for the next two years. Coming from the medical sector I do intend to use my presidency to strive for closer links and collaboration between SRP and IPEM, and especially between the SRP Medical Sector Committee and the IPEM Radiation Protection Special Interest Group.'

Professor Stephen O’Connor, IPEM’s President, said: ‘I would like to congratulate Jim on his appointment as President of the Society for Radiological Protection and I look forward to working with him on areas of mutual interest for SRP and IPEM.’

In his opening presidential address Mr Thurston said his focus would be on continuing to promote the sustainability of both the Society and the radiation protection profession, working in synergy with other organisations, and in engagement with the public and other stakeholders. He also expressed his intention to use his presidency to promote diversity and inclusion in the Society and the profession.