One constant over years of progress is the power of imaging to enable early diagnosis
Having joined Siemens as an engineer in 1991, I am now approaching my 35th year of working in healthcare and radiology in service and imaging sales roles. Over this time, I have witnessed significant changes across both the NHS and private sectors.
Back then, radiography education centred around hands-on training at schools of radiography rather than university degrees. Equipment was mechanical and manual: for example, high voltage control relied on string mechanisms to manage three-phase transformers. MRI technology was in its infancy: changing a 500MB disk required two people, and only a few lucky hospitals had access to these rare machines.
The mid-1990s marked the start of a real shift where the computing age accelerated, with the rise of Microsoft Windows, laptops and the internet. By 1999, we saw the explosion of multislice CT scanners and 1.5T MRI systems becoming the standard. This period truly set the stage for modern imaging. The 2000s introduced further advancements: the NHS Agenda for Change, seven-day working patterns for radiographers and engineers, widespread adoption of PACS and the rise of teleradiology. These developments are now the norm, but it took time and trust to reach this point.
Today, we are entering another exciting phase with innovations such as photon-counting CT, which others higher resolution images at a lower dose, and whole body PET imaging, transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. These cutting-edge technologies highlight how imaging continues to push boundaries.
What remains constant is the power of imaging to enable early diagnosis and save lives, helping reduce long-term healthcare costs. As we embrace AI and digitalisation, it is important to remember that people remain the essential ‘human glue’ behind every advance. Ultimately, this work is for the patients – and each of us will be a patient one day.
Congratulations to RAD Magazine from a proud Siemens Healthineers employee, and here’s to the next 50 years of progress.
Picture: Neil Lincoln in 1991 when he joined Siemens.
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