Drummond Gardner, Imaging Team Leader
Tell us about your job
I am in charge of the Nuclear Medicine section of the Radiology Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. This involves injecting patients with a radioactive tracer allowing us an insight to the functional anatomy of the body.
As part of my clinical duties I have carried out a reporting course in Nuclear Medicine and often discuss cases with my Consultant, as well as taking part in joint reporting sessions where possible. My reporting duties look likely to expand into bone densitometry (DXA) in the near future.
I also have team leader responsibilities such as monitoring mandatory training within the Department.
How did you end up in radiology?
After several temporary jobs in my late teens, including turf accountant and debt recovery for the water board, I had almost forgotten that I had enquired into careers in the Army Medical Corp. I first became interested in health care after a summer job as a domestic/porter in a local hospital, hence decided why not give it a go. I really wanted to be a physiotherapist, but they weren’t recruiting at the time, so I decided to go for radiography.
After qualifying from the Joint Services School of Radiography in Woolwich, I had several posting to X-ray Departments in Germany, Cyprus and Belize as well as in the UK. Towards the end of my 14 years in the Army I did a post graduate diploma in Nuclear Medicine and shortly after was offered voluntary redundancy which I reluctantly accepted (with both hands!).
Next problem was to find a job having the right qualifications but no NHS experience, the solution was spending four years in the private sector in Glasgow until the right opportunity arose in Stirling in 2000. Apart from a two year stint as acting Departmental Manager in Falkirk (although I far prefer being directly involved with patients), I have been hands on in Nuclear Medicine in NHS Forth Valley ever since.
Most prized possessions?
Would really be in the bad books if I didn’t mention my wife Jayne (who is a nurse on Ward 6) and two grown up children, Allister and Jessica. The usual things really like good health, a roof over my head and a ‘boys’ car.
If I was really pushed for a material thing it would have to be my Pioneer stack system, modern stereos aren’t the same, and I do have a rather large music collection in various formats.
What song means the most to me?
Believe it or not, like many ex-forces personnel, I am drawn towards anti-war protest songs, Forgotten Sons or White Feather by Marillion spring to mind. I do have a wide-ranging collection however, and just about anything from Bowie, Jagger, Queen or even Elton would fit the bill.
Figure from history to buy a pint or go for a meal with?
Would have to be a drink with Winston Churchill, I believe he liked a wee nip or two and was great with the banter.
Anything people don’t know about you?
I am a pretty open person and most people are aware of my Forces past. I’m afraid what happened in the Mess stays in the Mess as they say!
I was however a fairly decent hockey player in my youth which probably shows in my unorthodox golf swing. In the past, I was a fairly accomplished caver, being brought up near to the Yorkshire Dales. I was also in the Round Table (including a year as President) for many years until I got flung out for being too old!
Unfulfilled ambitions?
I love travelling to new places and enjoy a good long city break. There are still large parts of eastern Europe that have escaped me, and I would love to go to Australia and Canada someday.
How I would like to be remembered?
A good soldier who made the most of life on the outside and hopefully made a positive difference to every Department I have worked in. I would also like to be remembered as a loving, caring parent.
