Members of the Medical Physics team at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) recently visited Edgbaston High School for Girls to celebrate International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP).

At the event, over 150 students took part in the interactive workshops, which showcased different specialisms within medical physics.

Imaging with non-ionising radiation was demonstrated by phantom babies and MRI scans of chocolate bars.

Another workshop demonstrated the principles of radiation protection through NERF guns and Velcro vests.

The theme of this year’s event, the fifth annual IDMP, was ‘Women in Medical Physics’, celebrating the 150^th birthday of Marie Curie.  

The event was organised by Debra Balderson, Healthcare Science Education Lead, medical physics staff and trainees including Martyn Booth, Matthew Gardner, Ngonidzashe Michael Katsidzira and Davinder Shirgill. The workshops were staffed by volunteers from the Radiation Protection Services (RRPPS) and Radiotherapy Physics teams, as well as trainee medical physicists. 

Matthew Gardner, Clinical Scientist, said: “These outreach events are a great way to show people that the NHS is not just doctors and nurses.”

“Medical physics often goes on in the background and our hope is to raise public awareness, in particular of the variety of scientific roles available in the NHS.”

The Medical Physics team works closely with the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) to organise workshops, as well as equipment and leaflets for schools, showing the opportunities in medical physics, including career opportunities in the field.

Anne Lacey, Head of Science at the school, said: “The students really enjoyed the day and loved the activities.”

“They found out a lot about opportunities they never knew existed”.

Other outreach events organised by the Medical Physics outreach team include school talks and career events.

The outreach team has been successful over many years, and at the 2015 NHS England Healthcare Science Awards was runner up for the Special Award for Public Engagement.

For more information on Medical Physics outreach at UHB, please contact Matthew Gardner.

Email: Matthew.Gardner@uhb.nhs.uk