March in Focus: Progress, Recognition, and the Power of Collaboration

Honouring Scientific Heritage: 126 Years Since the Birth of Frédéric Joliot Curie

On 19 March, we marked 126 years since the birth of Frédéric Joliot Curie, whose discovery of artificial radioactivity with Irène Joliot Curie in 1934 transformed the future of science and medicine.

Their work made it possible to create medical radionuclides, laying the foundations for the diagnostic tracers and targeted therapies at the heart of modern nuclear medicine. A remarkable legacy that continues to shape our field every day.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

March is also Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, an important opportunity to highlight the most common cancer affecting men in many countries.
It reinforces the importance of early detection, equitable access to diagnostic pathways, and the central role nuclear medicine plays in prostate cancer management, including advanced PSMA imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapies.

This month has also brought significant regulatory discussion. The new MHRA guidance risks maintaining Qualified Person (QP) oversight for many diagnostic PET radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical trials, a position that does not align with the intent of Regulation 37A, which was designed to create a more proportionate and enabling framework.

We advocate that diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical trials should be permitted to be manufactured under Manufacturer’s Specials (MS) licences, consistent with current practice for unlicensed diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, without the requirement for routine QP certification, while maintaining all existing regulatory safeguards.

BNMS will continue to engage constructively with MHRA and partners to ensure a regulatory environment that protects patients while enabling innovation.

Alongside this, we continue our strong advocacy for Technology Registration, a critical step in ensuring appropriate recognition, professional identity, and career pathways for our nuclear medicine technologists and radiographers.

The joint letter, signed by IPEM, BNMS, RCR, RCP and SoR, has been sent again to the relevant stakeholders to reinforce the urgency and importance of this issue.

We remain fully committed to this work. We are not giving up, and we will continue to advocate until a fair and sustainable solution is achieved.

We were delighted to celebrate Sarah Allen, awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Academy for Healthcare Science, a well deserved recognition of her leadership and contributions to nuclear medicine and Healthcare Science.

Council Meeting: Progress and Purpose

Our March Council meeting was productive and forward looking, strengthening governance processes and refining our strategic priorities for the year ahead. I remain grateful for the thoughtful engagement of every Council member.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Jilly Croasdale

This month we also acknowledged Jilly Croasdale’s remarkable 16 years of service on Council.

From UKRG Chair, to Treasurer, to President (2023–2025), Jilly has shaped our Society with integrity, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. Her leadership of the MRT Consortium has been visionary, and her contribution to BNMS will continue to resonate for years to come.

Ian will be greatly missed on the SEC, and I have no doubt that his skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm will continue to benefit BNMS for many years to come.
Since joining the SEC in 2016 and serving as Chair/Co Chair since 2022 Ian has made an exceptional contribution. He introduced the multi-professional co chair and deputy structure, a forward thinking model that has strengthened representation, collaboration, and shared leadership across the Society. His commitment to inclusivity and professional excellence has left a lasting and meaningful legacy.

We organised an excellent webinar featuring Prof Alan Perkins, Dr Alp Notghi, and our Treasurer, Charnie Kalirai. Their contributions brought clarity, depth, and a truly multi-professional perspective to complex topics, a perfect illustration of the collaborative spirit that defines BNMS.

The session offered a rich overview of current developments in Nuclear Medicine, from innovative intraoperative probe technologies to practical and effective strategies for managing clinical incidents.

Prof Alan Perkins, the first clinical scientist, non medical BNMS President, delivered an outstanding and deeply engaging talk, “A personal journey from the first surgical gamma probes to intraoperative hybrid imaging.” He traced decades of innovation with his characteristic insight and humility.
Dr Alp Notghi, our 50th Anniversary BNMS President, brought a wealth of clinical knowledge from his 32 years as an NHS consultant, offering a compelling vision for the digital future of Nuclear Medicine and the evolution of clinical practice.

14 April 2026 at 6 p.m. — Next Live Webinar in the Past Presidents Series
This session will feature Prof Michael Maisey, Prof Richard Graham, and Dr Amy Eccles, Honorary Secretary of the BNMS.

It promises to be an exceptional event celebrating the rich history and pioneering work of Prof Michael Maisey, whose vision and determination brought clinical PET to fruition in the UK. Together with Prof Graham and Dr Eccles, we will explore the remarkable journey of PET — from its earliest conceptual foundations to its transformation into a cornerstone of modern clinical practice.

A story of scientific courage, technological ingenuity, and the people who believed in PET long before the world understood its potential.

19 April — Manchester Membership Reception

A warm opportunity to connect with colleagues, welcome new members, and celebrate our vibrant community.

20–22 April — BNMS Spring Annual Meeting, Manchester

Join us for our 60th Anniversary Celebration, a landmark gathering honouring six decades of innovation, leadership, and multi-professional excellence in UK Nuclear Medicine.