The Radiography Manifesto: A blueprint for the future

Earlier this month the SoR launched its manifesto setting out a vision for a world-class health service. Synergy explores how radiographers can show their support

“We were really clear that we wanted as much member opinion to inform our manifesto as possible,” said Richard Evans, CEO of the Society of Radiographers. 

“That’s not because we think that the ideas we have at head office are different to our members - I’d like to think that we’re all on the same page - but because we can say that member research actually went went into forming this manifesto, it’s given it an impact that we couldn’t have got anywhere else.

“The priorities are absolutely what our members want to see for radiography going into the future, and for healthcare in general.”

Representing the workforce 

Richard was speaking to Synergy at the official launch of the SoR’s Radiography Manifesto, at an event held at a parliamentary building in Westminster on 5 March. 

Attended by SoR staff and stakeholders, College of Radiographers industry partners and Society members, the event was opened by SoR president Dave Pilborough, followed by talks from CEO Richard, as well as Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi. 

The manifesto is a 15-page document, compiled and published by the SoR, that sets out a vision for the future of radiography and healthcare in the UK, by establishing five key demands for any future government. 

Alongside the nationwide manifesto, the SoR has also released versions specific to each of the devolved nations. 

With a general election due to be held by January 2025 (but expected to take place earlier than that), the SoR has released its own manifesto to highlight the most significant issues facing the radiography workforce in the health service - from pay stagnation to training future workforce.

Raising the profile 

Dean Rogers, SoR executive director of industrial strategy and member relations, told Synergy: “The manifesto is as much to start a conversation, so it’s not just for the election.

“It’s an opportunity, a vehicle, to start that conversation, raise the profile, raise the understanding of the vital work the members do, and then carry that conversation beyond the next election.

“It aims to build that consensus that we need from politicians, so we have a longer term view, rather than the short term that we’re used to.” 

On the political backdrop behind the manifesto launch, Dean said: “Having seen how desperate the NHS has got, the fundamental problems are about underfunding and the poor political choices that have been there for at least 15 years - that’s the foundation. 

“You can hear and see the NHS collapsing. So the election is happening against that backdrop, and whoever gets in is going to have that as a political priority.

“It doesn’t matter who gets in, it’s whether they take it seriously.”

Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for the Gower constituency in Wales, attended the manifesto launch in Westminster to show her support for the SoR. 

Speaking to Synergy, Tonia welcomed the fact that the SoR had compiled manifestos for each of the devolved nations. She also praised the work radiographers do in the health service. 

Tonia said: “The fact that your work [as radiographers] goes unrecognised is something that needs to be addressed. 

“You’re delivering a service that is going to revolutionise the NHS, which is what we all want.” 

She added: “I like that it’s been adapted for the devolved nations, which shows that the SoR is taking it seriously, so thank you for the work that has gone into addressing this in all four countries that are part of the United Kingdom.”

What you can do 

As part of the launch event, attendees were invited to question the SoR about the work and ideas that went into the manifesto, answered by Richard, SoR executive director for professional policy Charlotte Beardmore, and executive director of industrial strategy and member relations Dean Rogers. 

Questions from the audience ranged from the current ongoing strain on the NHS, workforce planning, and on the impacts on other allied health professions.

Charlotte, whose professional policy team worked across a range of areas for the manifesto, said: “We engaged with all of the officers within the organisation, because everybody has different exposure to the different challenges. 

“It was really helpful to have their perspectives on what they saw as the key priorities and fresh perspectives, alongside the trade union officers, so we could bring a whole document together and get the key messages out. 

“We’re all really pushing for the same thing: better care for patients, better situations for our members and professionals working in the service.” 

Richard added: “What we want our members to do is get a hold of a copy or a PDF of the manifesto, and share it as much as they can with their families and friends.

“It’s really important that the public know about what radiographers do, as well as in our communities. 

“And of course when the election comes, we want our members to be armed with the manifesto to give some questions that they can ask, to raise the issues that are important to the profession confidently with people they talk to about the election.”