Gareth Bolton
- MSc Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) Programme Leader
- Institute of Health
- Social Issues in Medical Imaging
- Health and Wellbeing

- Email: Gareth.Bolton@cumbria.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0) 1228 242779
- Location: Lancaster
Biography
Before moving into higher education, in January 2011, I was a Senior Radiographer/Sonographer for over ten years (specialising in general medical, vascular, obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound practice).
I am the Programme Leader for the MSc Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) awards at University of Cumbria.
I remain a HCPC registered diagnostic radiographer. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
My research interest is Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMSD) in ultrasound practice in the UK, and I am currently working towards my PhD, studying at Lancaster university.
I am an accreditor for the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE). In this role I am involved in reviewing and advising on the quality of ultrasound programmes and focused short courses in ultrasound, across the UK, prior to accreditation and re-accreditation.
I am was an elected member of British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) council (from January 2018) for 2 terms, (finishing December 2022). I remain a member of BMUS I currently represent BMUS on CASE committee. I have been Vice Chair of CASE committee (from Autumn 2020).
I have a passion for ultrasound and in securing a viable and competent ultrasound workforce for the future.
Qualifications and memberships
MSc Medical Ultrasound
PgCert Academic Practice
BSc (hons) Diagnostic Radiography
HCPC registerred Diagnostic Radiographer
Society & College of Radiographers (SCoR) member
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
BMUS member
Academic and research interests
Clinical Ultrasound Practice (Gynaecological, General Medical & Vascular Ultrasound)
Curriculum Design and Ultrasound Programme Management and Development
Physical Principles and Technology in Medical Ultrasound
Student Mentorship & Clinical Education in Ultrasound
Work Related Musculo-Skeletal Disorder (WRMSD) prevention in medical ultrasound
Dissertation supervision
National ultrasound workforce shortage strategy.
Research supervision
I am the 'dissertation' module leader for master’s level dissertations, across the postgraduate medical imaging programmes. My research expertise is predominantly in ultrasound, although I have experience of supervising a range of undergraduate and postgraduate dissertation topics.
Publications
Miller, Paul K. , Bolton, Gareth , Waring, Lorelei and Booth, Lisa (2022) Future-proofing education for advanced clinical practice in ultrasound: the perspectives of clinical leads in England.A Report published for Health Education England (HEE).
Bolton, Gareth, Booth, Lisa and Miller, Paul K. (2021) Work-Related Muscular-Skeletal Disorder among UK Sonographers: Understanding the Challenges. RAD Magazine, 47 (557). pp. 20-22.
Miller, Paul K., Grabrovaz, Meaghan, Bolton, Gareth and Waring, Lorelei (2020) The future of ultrasound Advanced Clinical Practitioner education: Mapping the views of clinical leads in the public and private sector. In: United Kingdom Imaging and Oncology Congress 2020: Pathways and Communication, 1-3 June 2020, ACC, Liverpool. (Unpublished)
Grabrovaz, Meaghan, Miller, Paul K., Bolton, Gareth and Waring, Lorelei (2020) The future of ultrasound Advanced Clinical Practitioner education: Mapping the views of programme leads in the UK. In: United Kingdom Imaging and Oncology Congress 2020: Pathways and Communication, 1-3 June 2020, ACC, Liverpool. (Unpublished)
Bolton, Gareth, Booth, Lisa and Miller, Paul K. (2020) The personal impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) on sonographers. In: United Kingdom Imaging and Oncology Congress (UKIO), 1-3 June 2020, ACC, Liverpool. (Unpublished)
Bolton, G.C., Booth, L. and Miller, P.K. (2019) 'Sonographers' experiences of work-related musculoskeletal disorder. An ideological dilemma?’ Exhibited at United Kingdom Imaging & Oncology Conference (UKIO). Liverpool. 10th-12th June 2019.
Bolton, G.C., Waring, L., White, H. and Brown, H. (2019) 'Direct Entry Ultrasound: Undergraduate and Post-Graduate Routes. The Unique Perspectives of Two HEIs', Imaging and Oncology, 2019(1), pp. 56-63.
Miller, P.K., Waring, L., Bolton, G.C. and Sloane, C. (2019) Personnel flux and workplace anxiety: Personal and interpersonal consequences of understaffing in UK ultrasound departments. Radiography. Volume 25, Issue 1, 46 - 50
Waring, L. & Bolton, G.C. (2018). Direct Entry Postgraduate Ultrasound – The University of Cumbria Experience, A report for Health Education North West.
Bolton, G.C., Booth, L. and Miller, P.K. (2018) 'Sonographers' experiences of work-related musculoskeletal disorder: The everyday consequences of physiological stress and injury in contemporary ultrasound', UK Radiological and Radiation Oncology. Liverpool ACC, 2nd to 4th July 2018.
Waring, L., Miller, P.K., Sloane, C. and Bolton, G.C. (2018) 'Charting the practical dimensions of understaffing from a managerial perspective: everyday consequences of the UK’s sonographer shortage', UK Radiological and Radiation Oncology Congress. Liverpool ACC, 2nd to 4th July 2018.
Waring, L., Miller, P.K., Sloane, C. and Bolton, G. (2018) ‘Charting the practical dimensions of understaffing from a managerial perspective: The everyday shape of the UK’s sonographer shortage’, Ultrasound, doi: 10.1177/1742271X18772606.
Marland, A. Bolton, G. (2017) 'Success rates at cervical catheterisation in a sonographer-led HyCoSy service: a retrospective baseline audit'. Exhibited at UKRC Manchester, June 2017.
Waring, L. Bolton, G. Smart, S. (2015) ‘Direct Entry MSc in Ultrasound – Changing the Face of Sonography Training’. Exhibited at BMUS Conference Cardiff, December 2015.
Bolton, G. C. and Cox, D. L. (2015), Survey of UK sonographers on the prevention of work related muscular-skeletal disorder (WRMSD). J. Clin. Ultrasound. Doi: 10.1002/jcu.22216
Recent external roles
Vice Chair, Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) Committee (from Autumn 2020).
Lead Accreditor Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), since 2014
Clinical Sonographer (honorary NHS role), since April 2013
BMUS Council member (since January 2018)
CASE Committee Member (since January 2019)
External Examiner University of Leeds (since October 2019)
Sonography Task and Finish Group