Katharine Halliday

Dr Katharine Halliday completed her radiology training in London, Perth, Australia, Sheffield and Nottingham. She was appointed to her current role as a Consultant Paediatric Radiologist at Nottingham University Hospital in 1998 and has a special interest in the imaging of suspected physical abuse, providing opinions on cases from across the UK.

 As well as her clinical work Dr Halliday is the current President of The Royal College of Radiologists (2022-2025). As President, she heads up the organisation which represents Clinical Radiologists and Clinical Oncologists from all four nations in the United Kingdom. RCR’s role is to speak on behalf of the professions to government and fundholders, to provide and supervise education and exams and to set professional standards. Much of the work of The Royal College of Radiologists involves raising the profile of our specialties.

At Nottingham University Hospital, Dr Halliday also held the role of Clinical Director for Radiology (2021-2022). Nottingham University Hospital is a large tertiary centre employing 70 Consultant Radiologists covering all diagnostic and interventional services.

She was also the National Clinical Lead for Radiology Getting-It-Right-First Time (GIRFT, 2017-2022). GIRFT is a service improvement programme for Radiology run by the NHS. During this time she visited 143 Radiology departments in England. The Radiology GIRFT national report was published in July 2020 and has been widely quoted. 

Dr Halliday was Chair of the British Society of Paediatric Radiology (2010-2016) and chaired the working group for the updated guidance for imaging in cases of suspected physical abuse in children (2018). 

Keeping doctors in the system is an increasingly relevant issue for the NHS. In 2022, over 75% of clinical oncologists and clinical radiologists who left the service were under the age of 60, with burnout and well-being issues cited as significant factors in their decision. Without concerted action to improve the working lives and well-being of doctors, the NHS risks a mass exodus of expertise from the health system, risking patient care, service improvement and opportunities to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

 This session will: 

• Explore the practical steps that can be taken to enhance our doctors’ well-being and improve their working lives in a number of ways to ensure they feel valued in their organisation and empowered to stay;
• Consider the effectiveness of mentoring schemes in supporting doctors' well-being;
• Look at the role of Support and Well-being Champions in departments; and 
• Highlight the work that The Royal College of Radiologists is undertaking in this space to support members’ and Fellows’ well-being.