From London to Barcelona: A Month of Milestones

The last month has been an exceptionally busy and rewarding month for BNMS, one marked by connection, celebration, and strategic momentum across our nuclear medicine community.

BNMS Autumn Meeting: “Are You Okay?”: Compassion at the Heart of Innovation

Our Autumn Meeting at the Kia Oval brought together patients, multidisciplinary colleagues, and nuclear medicine professionals from across the UK for a programme rich in clinical insight and collaborative spirit. From sessions on PRRT, SIRT and paediatric MRT to discussions on Total Body PET, multi professional working, innovation in nuclear medicine and radiopharmacy, the meeting reaffirmed our commitment to compassionate care and
advancements.

I am deeply grateful to our patients, speakers, sponsors, and the King’s College Hospital team – Dr Saira Reynolds, Mrs Marisa Botelho Cruz and Mr Matt Aldridge, for curating such a thoughtful and inclusive event.

One of the most powerful takeaways came directly from our patients. Amid the science and strategy, they reminded us of something profoundly simple yet often overlooked: the importance of asking, “Are you okay?” This gentle question acknowledges the emotional landscape of illness. As nuclear medicine professionals, we must continue to pair technical and clinical excellence with emotional presence. Listening deeply and honouring the whole
person, these are the foundations of compassionate care.

EANM Barcelona: Global Vision, Local Pride

The EANM Congress in Barcelona marked 40 years of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, welcoming a record 9,431 participants from across the globe. It was a privilege to represent BNMS and engage with international colleagues on theragnostic developments, molecular diagnostics, and the future of our field. A particular highlight was the dosimetry paper winning the prestigious Marie Curie Award, a testament to the
scientific excellence driving our community forward.

The UK’s clinical, scientific, and technological contributions were widely recognised throughout the congress. I was especially inspired by emerging work on combination therapies and newly described targets for prostate cancer, signposts of the innovation ahead.

BNMS meets international leadership: UK Nuclear Medicine Takes Centre Stage

A standout moment during EANM was meeting with international presidents of multiple national societies from all over the world. Our discussions with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) President, Dr Jean-Luc Urbain and SNMMI officers have been centred on transatlantic collaboration, shared educational goals, and the evolving landscape of our speciality. It was a pleasure to exchange ideas and reaffirm our mutual commitment to advancing nuclear medicine globally.

UK Highlight Country at SNMMI 2026: Honouring Our Legacy

Looking ahead, I am thrilled to share that the UK will be the Highlight Country at SNMMI in Los Angeles, taking place 30th May to 2nd June 2026. This is a moment of immense pride and responsibility. Preparations are already underway for a celebratory segment during the opening ceremony, featuring the UK flag and showcasing our rich cultural, scientific, and clinical heritage. Adding to the excitement, we have also been invited to provide a taste of British food at our stand in the exhibition hall!

This tribute will honour the UK’s history, culture and contributions to nuclear medicine and beyond, reflecting our history while spotlighting the diversity, innovation, and humanity that define our present and future. I warmly invite any ideas from across the BNMS community, to help shape this transatlantic cultural and scientific celebration.

Strategic Dialogue and the Future of Tracers in the UK

Recent weeks have seen pivotal conversations around the introduction of new tracers in the UK- conversations that could reshape access, innovation, and clinical outcomes.

A meeting between BNMS and GE Healthcare, led by Professor Richard Underwood and Dr Kshama Wechalekar, brought together clinical leads in nuclear cardiology and cardiologists, to explore the potential rollout of ¹⁸F-Flurpiridaz for cardiac imaging. In parallel, another expert group is advancing dialogue around ¹⁸F-FET for brain tumours, underscoring the growing need for its clinical utility and broader accessibility.

These developments arrive at a critical juncture. The proposed procurement approach to procure PET-CT services to replace the current phase 1 contracts remains an important consideration for our community, sparking widespread engagement and reflecting both urgency and ongoing challenges. BNMS remains firmly committed to working with NHS England to ensure equitable access to PET-CT services for all patients. We hope NHSE will recognise nuclear medicine not only as a cornerstone of modern medicine, but as a field defined by precision, compassion, and transformative potential. The time to ensure its delivery and growth is now.

Exciting News from Wales: Advancing Access to PET-CT

On 26 September 2025, a ceremonial ground-breaking marked the start of a major extension to the Cancer Centre in Swansea, which will host the new static PET-CT scanner for South West Wales. This development led by Prof Neil Hartman and his team, represents a significant step forward in regional access to advanced imaging.

The building phase is expected to take 56 weeks, culminating in the installation of a state-of-the-art digital PET-CT scanner. The expanded centre will feature six uptake rooms, including dedicated facilities for general anaesthesia and radiotherapy planning—ensuring comprehensive, patient-centred care.

This milestone reflects the growing commitment to equitable, high-quality nuclear medicine services across the UK.

Looking Ahead to November

November is shaping up to be a vibrant month for education and collaboration, with nine upcoming events across the BNMS calendar. Be sure to visit the BNMS Event Calendar to explore what’s on - November is no longer the quiet month it used to be!

Highlights include: PET-CT Fundamentals, led by Dr Randeep Kulshrestha; AI in Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT, masterminded by Dr Daniel McGowan, BNMS Research Champion in AI; and the ever-popular Nuclear Medicine Classics: Pitfalls, Patterns and Pearls, orchestrated by Dr Gopinath Gnanasegaran. In addition, several international meetings will provide rich opportunities to learn, share, and connect with colleagues worldwide.

Especially, we are delighted to invite you to two standout BNMS webinars this November:

• 4th November 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
The first joint BNMS/SoR webinar on multi professional reporting, featuring Hannah Chandler and the SoR team - a timely dialogue on collaborative practice and shared expertise.

• 19th November 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
The 3rd Women’s Health webinar, curated by Stefan Voo and the UCL team, spotlighting innovation, equity, and excellence in women’s care.

Both sessions promise rich insights, collaborative dialogue, and practical takeaways. Please join us and help spread the word across your networks.

Warmest wishes
Prof Sabina Dizdarevic
BNMS President