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SoR welcomes annex to NHS terms and conditions outlining job evaluation principles
Photo by SolStock via Getty Images
Photo by SolStock via Getty Images
NHS Employers has published an annex to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service handbook, outlining the principles of the Job Evaluation Scheme (JES).
The SoR has welcomed the annex, which outlines the principles that underpin the NHS JES. In the document, staff can find details of the actions required and the rights and responsibilities of staff, their trade unions and employers in the operation of the scheme.
The JES is used to determine the pay bands for all posts under the NHS terms and conditions of service Agenda for Change, and supports equal pay for more than one million NHS staff.
In response, the SoR emphasised that any member who has a significant change to their job description is entitled to have it reviewed. If members have queries in the first instance, they should contact their local representative, who will be able to support them with this process.
Find out more about the annex online here.
NHS Staff Council announces shift in Agenda for Change mileage mechanism
Photo by s99 via Getty Images
Photo by s99 via Getty Images
The NHS Staff Council has announced the outcome of joint negotiations for the mechanism used to calculate Agenda for Change mileage reimbursement rates.
The agreement follows more than a year of detailed negotiations and extensive consultation by employers and trade unions.
This update uses a measure of inflation from the Office for National Statistics to review changes in the costs of using a personal car for work. The new mechanism will replace the existing mechanism and will adjust with the fluctuations in the costs of motoring, not just fuel prices alone.
Rates are now to be reviewed twice a year, and changes will be implemented where there is a change of more than a whole penny. The mileage threshold drop-down has also increased, from 3,500 to 4,500 miles to support those staff who undertake the most mileage, particularly those who look after patients in the community and often travel the furthest for work.
For more information, access the NHS Employers website now.
Sonography vacancy rates have increased dramatically, SoR ultrasound census reveals
Photo by Eva Slusarek
Photo by Eva Slusarek
The Society of Radiographers has published leading statistics from the upcoming 2025 Ultrasound Census, revealing that the overall sonography vacancy rate has risen to 24.2 per cent.
Taking place between December 2024 and January 2025, the Ultrasound Census aimed to gather information on the number of working sonographers, vacancies and the larger workforce structure.
Headline statistics include the rise in sonography vacancy rates, which are up by 11.6 percentage points since the last ultrasound census in 2019 and 6.1 percentage points from 2014. Respondents pointed to recruitment difficulties as the main reason for this.
Gill Harrison, SoR professional officer for ultrasound, said the census results were indicative of ultrasound services across the UK: “This evidence will be crucial in national discussions about workforce shortages, education and training needs, and the urgent requirement to improve sonographer career pathways, particularly in some areas of practice such as obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound and paediatrics.”
Refreshed ‘4Ps’ guidance improves key elements of patient voice in radiography
Photo by Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry via Getty Images
Photo by Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry via Getty Images
The SoR’s ‘4Ps’ guidance, which ensures the patient voice is prioritised across service delivery, service development, education and research in radiography, has received a comprehensive refresh.
This brings it in line with evolving government policy, reflects technological advances and ensures it is up to date with changes to best practice.
Following an extensive evaluation, review and content update, the A Partnership between Patients, Practitioners and the Public within Imaging and Radiotherapy (4Ps) document has been transformed into a high-quality digital version with refreshed guidance and improved accessibility.
Lynda Johnson, professional officer responsible for the Patient Advisory Group at the SoR, said the new version of the document supports innovation and technological process while paying attention to the importance of the patient experience.
Members of the SoR will be able to find the new and improved version on the society’s website from summer 2026.
Community Diagnostic Centres’ £237m investment prompts further workforce questions
Health secretary Wes Streeting, by Alishia Abodunde/Stringer via Getty Images
Health secretary Wes Streeting, by Alishia Abodunde/Stringer via Getty Images
An investment of £237m into new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) has prompted queries from the SoR over where the staff to deliver these promises will come from.
The government announced that the funding for the CDCs will enable patients to get quicker tests closer to home, with money dedicated to four new centres, the expansion of 17 existing ones and the enhancement of a further 15 to boost diagnostic capacity.
However, concerns from the SoR have emphasised the need for a comprehensive workforce plan to support these goals – one that has yet to be delivered.
Richard Evans, CEO of the SoR, said: “The aims of the CDC programme are excellent. We all know that services provided close to people’s homes and away from acute hospital sites can provide opportunities for earlier diagnosis and integrated care.
“However, as the SoR has repeatedly stated, without the workforce growth to staff these facilities, the full benefits of CDC expansion will be compromised. This will either be down to under provision of service in CDCs or a reduction in radiography staff in acute settings.”
‘Challenging discrimination is a professional duty’ – SoR publishes open letter to student radiographers and learners
Photo by Maskot via Getty Images
Photo by Maskot via Getty Images
The Society of Radiographers has updated its message to student radiographers and learners, offering support and advice for those who witness or experience inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.
Published to coincide with the release of a new Health and Care Professions Council resource, the SoR’s letter includes information on how to deal with discrimination, including race discrimination, sexually inappropriate behaviour and non-inclusive practices.
The letter, written by the SoR’s students and new professionals officer, Nichola Browne, states: “There is no place for discrimination in our profession or society as a whole. We are here to support you and help you, making change happen as needed.”
The full text of the letter can be accessed here.
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