News
Briefing
SoR joins healthcare unions to call for action on discrimination against international recruits
The Society of Radiographers has joined the Royal College of Midwives and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in producing new guidance for recruiting health professionals to the UK.
The guidance comes in response to the treatment of international recruits, which these health unions found was poor with recruits being bullied, harassed, and discriminated against.
Dean Rogers, executive director for industrial strategy and member relations at the Society of Radiographers, said: “Internationally trained radiographers are likely to play a critical role in recruitment and retention for the foreseeable future. We have seen far too many examples of horrifying treatment of overseas professionals.”
The guidance covers:
- Advertising for international recruits
- Interviewing and appointment, including offering contracts and support with visa applications
- Moving to the UK
- Induction in the workplace, including professional induction and support
- Professional development and ongoing personal and professional support for the healthcare professional and any dependents
CoRIPS project seeks respondents for research into radiographers’ mental health
A College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS) research project is seeking to understand the potential psychological impacts of working in radiography.
Fiona Macgregor, a radiographer and principal lecturer at Teesside University, will be conducting one-on-one interviews from February to December 2024, to understand in more detail how working as a radiographer can impact on mental health.
This research seeks to obtain an understanding of the psychological impact of working as a radiographer, identify how radiographers currently manage their wellbeing, what support mechanisms are available to them and the barriers and facilitators to accessing support.
Fiona explained that new HCPC Radiography Standards (September 2023) advise radiographers to look after their wellbeing and seek support when needed given the traumatic and distressing nature of some clinical cases.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Fiona MacGregor at F.MacGregor@tees.ac.uk.
Annual Delegates Conference 2024: Motion to remove VAT on bras carried
A motion raised at the SoR's Annual Delegates Conference calling for the removal of VAT from bras has been approved.
The SoR heard from proponents of the motion at the Annual Delegates Conference (ADC), who argued that bras – like menstrual products – are vital for women’s health.
Increased bra costs discourage women from buying well-fitted bras, they added, and poor-fitting bras can cause physical pain.
Diagnostic Radiographers carry out X-rays, MRI and CT scans, which can be used to identify the musculoskeletal problems caused by poorly fitted bras.
Kevin Tucker, delegate from Wales, proposed the motion and explained the importance of supporting women to purchase bras based on suitability rather than cost, and called on UK Council to lobby government to remove VAT on bras.
The motion said: “The imposition of VAT on bras disproportionately affects women. Taxing bras could be considered discriminatory as per the Equality Act, 2010.”
Annual Delegates Conference 2024: ‘Oppose separate pay spine for nurses’ say delegates
The Society of Radiographers has been urged to continue to oppose plans to introduce a separate pay spine for nurses.
In January this year, the Department for Health and Social Care opened a public consultation on the proposal to offer nurses a separate pay system from other NHS health workers.
But the idea has been met with opposition from a number of professional bodies, including the SoR, over concerns the new pay spine would divide professions and would not fix pay issues within the NHS.
In a motion raised at ADC 2024, a delegate for the North West Region said: “This motion is asking for council to oppose the introduction of a separate pay spine for nurses to ensure we don’t have any differences in our pay and terms and conditions.
“Potentially it’s deeply divisive, pitting unions against unions and professions against professions.
“We do not believe unions working unilaterally in isolation is the correct approach. A collective union approach enhances the strength of negotiations.”
The SoR is in favour of the government’s new Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The Society of Radiographers is supporting the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which aims to protect future generations from the harmful impacts of smoking.
This bill would mean anyone aged 15 or under in 2024 will never legally be able to be sold cigarettes or other tobacco products, even after they turn 18.
The phased approach means anyone who can legally buy tobacco now will not be prevented from doing so in future. In an effort to encourage those who currently smoke to consider quitting, the government has launched additional support including Stop Smoking Services across England, and free resources, tools and advice via NHS Better Health.
The Department of Health and Social Care estimates that a person with a smoking-related condition is admitted to hospital almost every minute in England. It is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer which costs the NHS and the economy an estimated £17 billion a year.
SoR launches Student Placement Survey to understand challenges faced on placement
The SoR has launched the Student Placement Survey to gather information on the standards and quality of student placement experiences across the UK.
Following repeated reports of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace, the Society is gathering information on clinical placements to build a realistic picture of support needs and inform the development of resources in this area.
The survey is open to both member and non-member students, and will close on Sunday 2 June at midnight.
It can be accessed here.
Society of Radiographers now working with NHS to deliver education reform contract
The Society of Radiographers is now working with NHS England to deliver a contract of work to support education and development of the profession, called the NHS England Professional Body Educational Reform Contract.
Each of the AHP Professional Bodies are also working on similar specifications, and the SoR is covering funding to support both therapeutic and diagnostic radiography.
The work has eight core workstreams, which includes a focus on students, career development, careers promotion and workforce supply; preceptorship; educator and academic workforce; practice education in ultrasound; mentorship training and apprenticeships.
Charlotte Beardmore, executive director professional policy for the Society, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the Society of Radiographers and its members to progress work to support the profession.
“We hope that members of the profession will engage in the work as calls come out for input, please look out for this information via our comms platforms.
“This month there is a call for those interested in contributing to the support worker workstream.”
Scoping of the programme has been completed and the SoR is in the process of establishing contracts with a number of external teams leading some components of the work, and internally projects have been finalised. The work is to be delivered and completed by 31 March 2024.
The Society hopes that members of the profession will engage in the work as calls come out for input. Look out for this information via SoR channels. This month there is a call for those interested in contributing to the support worker workstream.
More detailed information from the SoR will follow.
Image credits:
Eva Slusarek
Monty Rakusen via GettyImages
Isabel Pavia, via GettyImages
Maskot, via GettyImages
Built with Shorthand