Heartbeat: A long and distinguished career – focus on Dr Bill Thomson

February 17, 2022

Dr Bill Thomson, newly retired former Head of Physics and Nuclear Medicine, is widely recognised across our organisation as an innovator, a colleague that has dedicated his career to patient care. His diagnostic work alone has helped to treat countless patients, and that’s just the start.

This accolade comes after working 50 years in the NHS, 37 of which have been at SWB. Bill graduated in 1971 with a degree in physics and went on to complete his PhD. Since joining our Trust, he has worked across several projects that have seen him recognised for his contributions to science and nuclear medicine, one being the prestigious Norman Veal Award by the British Nuclear Medicine Society.

Throughout his career, Bill has made numerous developments in nuclear medicine. He has featured in over 500 publications and shared his expertise at many presentations.

Bill’s colleagues paid tribute to him when nominating him for our Distinguished Service Award. One colleague remarked: “There are multiple reasons why Bill deserves this award. Beyond longevity (he has stuck it out for at least 30 years), he gives his complete and utter best every day.

“He is kind and supportive to his colleagues. Bill gives every person an Easter egg, and every single person gets a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates at Christmas. He always has time to help you. Bill is a proper scientist. He loves nothing more than tinkering around with bits of tubing and radioactive counters to try and solve a problem.

“He helped set up our national Krypton gas generator service and has steered our nuclear medicine service over the years. He has successfully submitted many research papers, and his passion for research and science has never waned. But better than that, he has a passion for the department and for elevating his colleagues, which is wonderful.”

Speaking of being recognised with a Star Award, Bill remarked: “It’s a great honour to receive the Distinguished Service Star Award from the Trust. I’ve been very fortunate to work in a department where everyone works together with a constant vision for improving our studies for the benefit of our patients. They really are just a fantastic team!

“Nuclear medicine is constantly evolving and the department has been at the forefront of a lot of these developments. Over the last five years or so we have presented more papers at the nuclear medicine annual conference than any other UK department. I love what I do, which is why I have had 50 years in nuclear medicine. I’m happy to now have handed over the reins, but I am still involved in some research projects, and have given two invited talks since retiring.”