THE scientist responsible for giving Oxford one of the leading vascular laboratories in the UK is being honoured at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital today.

The Vascular Studies Unit at the JR is to be named in memory of the late Jackie Walton, who died last February, aged 52.

Ms Walton, who lived in Abingdon, came to work in Oxford in 1987 for Sir Peter Morris, the then Nuffield Professor of Surgery, who appointed her as senior, and only, vascular technologist in the JR’s vascular laboratory.

She built up the unit and was responsible for training a large number of the UK’s clinical vascular scientists. Much of her work involved using ultrasound equipment to diagnose arterial and venous disease in vascular patients.

Following a symposium held in her honour a plaque will be unveiled by Sir Peter, a past President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, to mark the newly-named Jackie Walton Vascular Studies Unit.

Ms Walton, a mother of three, also played a leading role in the creation of the Society for Vascular Technology of Great Britain and Ireland, going on to become the society’s first president.

She was married for 22 years to Reg Little, the chief reporter of The Oxford Times.