A south Belfast radiographer has scooped local and UK awards for providing the best services to patients.

Valerie McCollum, who works at Belfast City Hospital on the Lisburn Road, picked-up two prizes at the House of Commons — both the UK and the Northern Ireland Radiographer of the Year awards.

She said she was “absolutely amazed” to have won, adding: “It’s a great honour that your profession is acknowledged.

“But it’s not just me — we have a great team here. I have a great team behind me.”

Valerie’s manager, Christine Robinson, who nominated her, described her as “a thoroughly professional radiographer who is highly committed and always goes above and beyond the demands of her job”.

Valerie is responsible for a team of 14 radiographers including the professionals at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre. She specialises in the scanning technique, Computed Tomography (CT).