There was a really positive attitude amongst staff and patients and a real sense of pride to work at The Christie - Wesley Doherty

Wesley Doherty - Christie Radiographer

Wesley Doherty

I got into radiotherapy a bit later than most. I've always worked in healthcare and fancied a new challenge. Radiotherapy certainly provided that!

I completed the postgraduate diploma in radiotherapy at the University of Liverpool in 2014, having worked as an optometrist for 15 years. My previous degree allowed me to apply directly to the university for the postgraduate course, but there is also an undergraduate degree programme accessed through UCAS.

I've always liked the combination of the technical physics side of things combined with the biology and pathology from my previous career, and radiotherapy was a natural, if not obvious, progression.

Even though I am accustomed to dealing with difficult and upsetting news for patients and I talk a lot, which comes in very useful as a therapy radiographer, I was a bit worried about working in a cancer hospital. I wrongly assumed it would be a really difficult environment to work in.

I needn't have worried. On walking through the door on the first day I was met with an overwhelmingly friendly atmosphere. There was a really positive attitude amongst staff and patients and a real sense of pride to work at The Christie.

I felt part of the team from the very start. I was supported throughout my training from day one by staff members, mentors and clinical tutors. This support didn't end when I qualified and I was assigned a mentor under The Christie's preceptorship programme for staff new to the trust. This is something I would really have appreciated in my previous career! Since then I have been a mentor myself to two students, one each at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

There is a real emphasis on progression and delivering your best at The Christie. My team is made up of radiographers, senior radiographers, superintendents, specialist and lead grades with opportunities to progress to site-specific roles such as colorectal, breast, paediatric and prostate specialist radiographers.

Since qualifying last year I have spent time in pretreat, treatment prep and treatment delivery. There are regular professional development events to keep up to date in a rapidly developing and highly technical field. With the recent groundwork beginning on the upcoming high energy proton beam therapy centre (one of only 2 NHS facilities in the country) this opens a completely new avenue of opportunities to pursue in the future.

In the past year, I have been encouraged to get involved in helping to shape the culture of The Christie. In my role as a Christie commitment champion, I am part of a team of staff from across the whole organisation who attend meetings in London aimed at transforming the culture of The Christie and the NHS. I hope to continue progressing by applying for funding for my master's degree in the next couple of years.

Working with cancer patients is a privileged position. Every day is different. Every day is rewarding. Every day is filled with new thank you cards and a never ending supply of chocolates, cakes and other goodies. Every day I get to know the wonderful patients I see better and better. Every day I smile more than I have done in any other job, and every day I feel like I am doing something to make a big difference to the patients.

Have you thought about a career as a therapy radiographer working in radiotherapy?  If you are interested in finding out more details, please email RTEducation@christie.nhs.uk