A consultant radiologist who was instrumental in establishing breast imaging and cancer screening services for thousands of women across Teesside has retired after nearly 40 years of service.
Dr William Thompson, 69, who was born and raised in Stockton, qualified in 1980 and first started working at the University Hospital of North Tees in 1988 – where he developed the hospital’s first breast imaging service and introduced many innovations that have transformed care for patients with breast cancer.
At that time, breast imaging services at North Tees were non-existent, meaning patients had to travel to Middlesbrough or Leeds for mammograms and specialist investigations.
Shortly after he was appointed the hospital acquired its first mammography machine, thanks to the North Tees Women’s Cancer Appeal and Dr Thompson found himself as the first consultant radiologist for the service – unaware that the role would define much of his career.
When Dr Thompson arrived there was no breast radiology service in the hospital and there was a real desire among colleagues to bring those services closer to home.
He said: “I happened to arrive at exactly the right time and put myself forward for something I never expected would become such a major part of my career. I thought it would take up a small amount of my time but as it turned out, it became my life’s work.”
The arrival of the hospital’s first mammography service was quickly followed by the introduction of the national NHS Breast Screening Programme in 1990. North Tees was chosen as the location for the new breast screening centre in the Tees Valley, making it the first subregional speciality service at North Tees Hospital.
Dr Thompson describes this as ‘a very proud moment for the hospital’ and believes the service has gone from strength to strength ever since.
The service has evolved from him being a sole radiologist, to leading, training and growing a team that is highly regarded within the region. He served as lead clinician for breast imaging services for nearly 30 years before stepping back from that role in 2017.
He said: “I’ll miss the work and I will miss the people. I’ve worked alongside supportive, talented colleagues and I wish them all well for the future.”
Throughout his career, he remained motivated by the direct impact his work could have on patients’ lives.
Dr Thompson continues: “One of the things that has impressed me about breast screening is that it is so well monitored and quality assured. You know how well you’re doing and where improvements can be made. That insight is incredibly motivating and helps you provide the best possible care.”
“But ultimately, everything we do should help patients. One day, any of us could find ourselves on the other side of that interaction and I want people to be treated with the same care and respect that I would hope to receive myself.”
Colleagues have paid tribute to Dr Thompson’s contribution and shared their well-wishes at a special retirement meal, praising his leadership and commitment to developing and improving breast services for patients across Teesside.
Now retiring to live life to the full, he plans to spend more time pursuing his hobbies, including his passion for landscape photography.