This year’s UKIO will take place during a time of seismic reform within the NHS - specifically, NHS England. It’s been almost two months since the UK government announced that NHS England would become part of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), effectively scrapping the body altogether. With up to 10,000 jobs reportedly at risk, healthcare workers within NHS England have been rightfully concerned at what the future might hold.

Against this background, UKIO 2025 will address a number of key issues for attendees, ranging from staff wellbeing to the ever-present topic of AI in healthcare. But this year’s conference will also have a heightened focus on sustainability, with all events taking place under the theme ‘community and consciousness: one health’.

Across the three-day conference, taking place from 2-4 June at the ACC Liverpool venue, UKIO attendees can expect to hear from a range of radiography experts across panel discussions, plenary sessions and clinical oncology sessions throughout the programme. In addition, this year there will be a dedicated Radiotherapy Hub for therapy and clinical oncology delegates.

The SoR and CoR will also have a joint stand with organising partners the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and the British Institute of Radiology (BIR) at UKIO.

Unmatched opportunities for personal and professional advancement

Richard Evans, CEO of the SoR, says that UKIO is an unrivalled event for making new connections and learning about cutting-edge technological advances in the radiography profession.

“UKIO is a unique and internationally important event,” he tells Synergy. “Attending a multidisciplinary conference, with a multi-stream programme and large technical exhibition is an amazing experience, not just for the unparalleled CPD opportunities but also for the chance to meet fellow professionals, discuss cutting edge technological and research developments and to develop new contacts and friendships.”

“As always, the SoR and CoR have a significant profile at UKIO. We will be with our organising partners, the IPEM and the BIR on a joint stand in the heart of the exhibition. I am looking forward to some of the keynote speakers, including Tim Berners Lee and the chief allied health professions officer for England, Suzanne Rastrick.”

The CoR is set to sponsor three keynote lectures at the conference. These will be delivered by Benjamin Roe, Therapeutic Radiographer and regional clinical quality and improvement director, NHS England South West, Jill Griffin, Diagnostic Radiographer and head of clinical engagement at the Royal Osteoporosis Society and Dr Rachel Harris, recently retired as head of professional practice and education at the SoR and CoR.

A focus on sustainability

Dr Emma Hyde is the president of UKIO. She was also recently appointed to the role of head of education and research at the SoR, joining the Professional and Education team.

Emma says this year’s sustainability theme will encourage attendees to consider the potential effects of their actions on the environment.

“The theme aim is to encourage us all as an imaging and oncology community to think about sustainability and highlight the importance of joined-up thinking that considers the impact of our individual actions on the global village,” she explained. Talks such as ‘How bad are bananas?’ by Mike Berners-Lee and a panel discussion titled ‘The green prescription -strategies for a sustainable future’ are set to reinforce this point.

Emma added that this is a particularly strong year for international attendees, with delegates from more than 30 countries coming to UKIO. This, she says, attests to the reach of UKIO and what it offers international guests. 

“This is our largest event for a number of years, and I’m delighted that in my final congress as president, UKIO remains the place to be for high-quality education and CPD for the imaging and oncology community. This year, as well as delegates from across the UK, we are also joined by delegates from over 30 countries, illustrating how UKIO is fast becoming an international congress.

“I am also delighted that we are joined by 12 delegates who have generously been funded by the Radiology and Oncology Congresses Board (ROC) international bursary scheme. This scheme strives to bring together the global imaging and oncology community, and we will be welcoming our guests from Ghana, Liberia, Nepal, The Gambia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, and the Philippines.”

“At UKIO there is something for everyone working in imaging and oncology, no matter what role or seniority!”

A range of sessions for attendees

SoR president Tom Welton is on the board for UKIO this year. He tells Synergy that UKIO 2025 will be especially relevant for radiographers intrigued by advances in AI, and who want to discuss their thoughts with other professionals.

“AI is now at more of an implementation stage,” he explains. “Diagnostic radiography is in its fourth revolution. We had wet film, to CR, from CR to DR, and I think AI is gonna be the next big revolution in the radiography world, and we’re at the cusp of it.

“Anyone starting out in radiography now is going to have AI present during their careers, and that’s something to look out for, because it will dictate the profession moving forward. 

“We have to get innovative. We have to work out how to change healthcare for the better, with not a lot of money. Places like UKIO are melting pots of group thought, understanding, and good practice, how we can share that information across the UK. That, to me, is what UKIO is about.”

Specifically, Tom is looking forward to the SoR sessions on offer, such as the Welbeck Memorial Lecture and the Martine Jackson memorial lecture. “I really like patient-focused sessions. The College of Radiographers puts on a patient-specific session which is always really good; you get a chance to hear the patient perspective. There’s usually a student-run session, which is always great.”

“And I always love the proffered papers. They’re short and sweet, eight-minute presentations, but they’re those little snippets of the good work going on up and down the country from people who are on the shop floor, working.”