President’s Update: September 2026
It’s been a busy summer for IPEM and, as we move into the autumn, I wanted to update you on some of the areas we’ve been focusing on. There is a great deal happening across our professions. New technologies and models of care are developing rapidly, while workforce pressures remain significant. I believe IPEM has an important role not simply in responding to these changes, but in helping to shape what comes next.
From the Board
The Board of Trustees met on 3 September, with a wide-ranging agenda covering IPEM’s finances, membership, publications and wider priorities. Our focus remains on ensuring IPEM delivers for members today while investing in the future of our professions. We publish summary minutes following each meeting, setting out the main discussions, decisions and actions so members can keep up to date with the Board’s work.
Building our partnership with NPL
One particularly exciting development over the summer has been our new strategic partnership with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). By bringing together NPL’s expertise in measurement science and innovation with the knowledge and experience of the IPEM community, there is a real opportunity to achieve more together. Our ambition is for this to lead to practical collaboration around innovation, workforce and skills, professional development and recognition.
Join us at STEF
Our Science, Technology and Engineering Forum (STEF) takes place in Manchester on 12 and 13 October, and I very much hope you’ll join us. STEF 2026
STEF is one of the highlights of IPEM’s year, bringing together our community from across medical physics, clinical engineering and clinical technology, and from healthcare, academia and industry. It’s an opportunity to hear about the latest science and innovation, exchange ideas, make connections and be part of the conversations shaping our professions.
This year will be particularly significant as we formally mark our new partnership with NPL, our headline sponsor.
Events like STEF are at their best when our community comes together and contributes to the conversation. If you haven’t already booked, I’d really encourage you to join us in Manchester. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there.
Workforce: moving towards action
Workforce has continued to be a major focus of my discussions over the summer.
We know there are significant pressures across medical physics, clinical engineering and clinical technologists. But describing the problem is only part of the task. We need to focus increasingly on what can be done about it.
That means looking at how we attract people into our professions, education and training, career pathways, recruitment and retention, and the skills we’ll need in the future.
IPEM cannot address these challenges alone. Our role is to use the evidence and expertise of our members, bring together organisations across healthcare, academia and industry, and ensure our professions have a strong voice nationally.
Our ambition must be greater than filling today’s vacancies. We need to help build the workforce that healthcare will need for the future.
Help shape our priorities for 2027
Our Member Advisory and Prioritisation Council (MAPC) met in September as we begin looking ahead to IPEM’s priorities for 2027.
MAPC helps turn member expertise and experience into action. When it meets again in December, it will consider where IPEM should focus its collective expertise and influence next year, and we want members to help shape that agenda.
Are we focusing on the right issues? Where should IPEM be more ambitious? What emerging challenges and opportunities should we be preparing for?
Please share your views through our Working for You section so they can help inform MAPC’s discussions in December.
As we head into a busy autumn, thank you to everyone who continues to contribute their time, expertise and ideas to IPEM. There is a lot ahead of us and a great deal we can achieve together.
Mark Knight
President, IPEM