About Us

Sandra Hellewell (nee Burns) grew up in Southland, New Zealand. She completed her National Diploma in Medical Diagnostic Imaging (NDMDI) in 1990 in Dunedin, at the Otago School of Radiography. During the next 5 years Sandra worked in the general x-ray Department at the Dunedin Hospital, training in mammography and completed her DMU in December 1995. Then moving to Christchurch, Sandra worked as a sonographer in the Public hospital, performing a wide range of examinations including general, obstetrics and gynae, small parts, pediatric and neonatal, some vascular and basic musculo-skeletal. 

Being of Irish descent, it was always in the plans to work and live for a time in the UK. However these plans were to be delayed with the arrival on the scene of her now husband, Richard. Also a Southlander, Richard Hellewell obtained his NZCE in Mechanical Engineering in Christchurch in 1991. He had a variety of interesting jobs from Helena Curtis to what is currently General Cable (Previously known as MM Cables, BICC Cables and BICC General Cable). He enjoyed various roles within the company, during his time with them.

Sandra and Richard married in Invercargill in 1998 and 2 years later, departed for the UK. While Richard again worked in the cable industry in Feltham London (Near Heathrow airport). Sandra worked as a locum in a variety of London hospitals including the Royal Free, St Thomas, Barts, Guys, Chelsea and Westminster hospitals. Three and a half years were filled with rich experience of travel and work, which concluded in December 2003 when they returned to New Zealand to re-establish themselves in their prospective professions and to start Sonographers Medical NZ Limited.

They look forward to helping other Kiwi's experience the joys and challenges of living and working in the UK.