Bryan Hynd, Head of Medical Physics, NHS Forth Valley.
What does your current job entail?
My current job as the Head of Medical Physics, is to manage the medical physics team who are responsible for the maintenance, repair and procurement of medical equipment throughout NHS Forth Valley.
How did you arrive at your present post?
I left school to work for a local medical equipment company who put me through and also funded my qualification in mechatronics. I was there for five and a half years before being made redundant. I then took up a temporary post in the Medical Physics Department at Falkirk Royal Infirmary. After a few months this was made permanent and I’ve been working for the NHS ever since – 15 years and counting!
How much does being innovative play a role in the workplace?
Lots. In the last five to six years the department has changed greatly. We’ve brought a lot of work that was previously carried out by the equipment manufacturers back in-house. We’ve become more active in managing the equipment rather than just fixing it when it breaks down. All equipment now has a planned replacement date, there is greater standardisation and a new equipment tracking system has been installed in Forth Valley Royal Hospital which was shortlisted for an Advancing Healthcare Award. These changes have improved efficiency and helped reduce costs.
What might people not know about you?
Outside work I pay solo cornet for the Buckhaven & Methil Miners Brass Band and I’m a keen wildlife and landscape photographer. The band practices twice a week as well as playing concerts and taking part in competitions throughout the year.
In terms of your musical career, what has been your biggest moment?
A few years ago the band were asked by Tower Records to record a track for a CD featuring some of the top colliery bands, including Grimethorpe Colliery (the band from the film Brassed Off). At first we thought it was one of the other local bands being funny but it turned out to be genuine and we have a recording of the march Bayview on the album “Music Lives on Now the Mines Have Gone – Best of Colliery Bands”. The Album briefly made it into the top 20 albums chart!
How do you spend a weekend?
My weekends are usually spent with family. I have a 6 year old daughter so I like to spend time with her. I usually try (and often fail) to play golf at my local course in Cairneyhill. If the weather, time and my wife allows it I like to get out and try and get some decent photographs. The Fife coast is one of my favourite spots.
Favourite food?
Steak and chips.
Funniest experience?
Getting picked up in a wedding car along with my police officer brother to go and get married and my brother realising that he had charged the driver a few days earlier for being over on his taco graph!
Worst nightmare?
Airport check in. Is it really too much to ask for people to have their tickets and passports ready when they get to the front of the queue?
What would you do if you won £1million?
I’d pay off the mortgage, buy a holiday home in Fuerteventura and buy lots of lenses for my camera. Oh and maybe a sports car or two…..
