Rosemary Hakes

"Rosemary is a Radiotherapy Physicist, she works out the correct radiotherapy treatment and dosage for cancer patients.Rosemary describes herself as methodical and careful. This is important as her work involves a lot of attention to detail and understanding of problems, which fits with the ‘Quality Controller’ type. She is also persistent and has a desire to uncover potential problems so she really suits the ‘Explorer’ type. Rosemary works to implement new techniques which will benefit patients so she also matches well with the ‘Coordinator’ type."

"Rosemary is a Radiotherapy Physicist, making sure that treatments for cancer patients in hospital are suited to their cancer type and size, and that the treatment can be delivered accurately and at the right level for that patient. Radiotherapy treatments are an effective way to reduce and manage cancer but making sure that the dose given, and method used, are correct is essential for the patients’ wellbeing and for the treatment to work. Radiotherapy is unpleasant for patients and getting it right can make their treatment not just more effective, but also more comfortable and less distressing.Rosemary’s role requires her to take careful measurements of medical equipment such as the linear accelerator which delivers radiotherapy treatment to destroy cancer cells. She also checks treatment plans and meets with other members of staff including physicists, engineers and radiographers. She leads a small group of physicists and must thoroughly check her work and the work of others. She is also involved in implementing new techniques and commissioning new equipment in order for patients to hopefully have fewer side effects and better control of their cancer. Her work has a direct impact on the patients suffering from cancer."

"Rosemary went to university where she got a degree and a PhD specialising in Physics. She then worked in industry for 4 years in image processing and database management. She wanted to use her physics knowledge and skills but at the same time work with people without spending a lot of time with computers. She heard about the medical physics training scheme from a radiographer friend and entered the medical physics training scheme.She studied for an MSc and carried out practical training in hospitals. She then obtained state registration as a clinical scientist which involves gaining responsibility in a hospital environment. The starting salary for a medical physicist is about £26,000."

"In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys getting outside - running, walking, and taking trips to the beach with her family. She also plays the cello in an orchestra, and she likes reading. 10 years ago, Rosemary ran the midnight sun marathon in Norway and she still loves visiting Norway for walking and cross-country skiing. In the future, Rosemary would like to be in a similar role to the one she has now, possibly leading a larger group of people."