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SoR stands with members amid ICB cuts and calls for immediate action
Photo by courtneyk, via GettyImages
Photo by courtneyk, via GettyImages
The Society of Radiographers has issued a message of solidarity to members in England affected by cost-saving measures and restructuring linked to decisions made by integrated care boards (ICBs).
Alongside the abolition of NHS England, ICBs must cut their budgets by 50 per cent, and acute providers are expected to roll back 50 per cent of corporate cost growth since 2020.
The SoR has warned that these cuts will have significant negative impacts on NHS services and the radiographers who work within them. Some ICBs will also go through the process of restructures, mergers, redundancy processes or wider service changes.
In an email to members, Leandre Archer, SoR head of industrial relations, acknowledged the pressure radiography professionals were facing and affirmed the SoR’s commitment to supporting members through the challenges ahead.
“These cuts are not just figures on a spreadsheet,” she wrote. “They represent real consequences for real people, real jobs and real impacts on patient care. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our members during these uncertain times.”
Inside the ECF online hub: practice educator case studies
Photo by SDI Productions, via GettyImages
Photo by SDI Productions, via GettyImages
The Society and College of Radiographers is publishing information on career pathways highlighted in the Education and Career Framework (ECF) as part of a series of articles showcasing the different career pathways included in the framework. This month, it is looking at the practice educator career pathway.
You can access the ECF hub here.
Over the past year, the College of Radiographers put out a call for educator case studies as part of the NHS England Professional Bodies Education Reform Commission. These submissions included roles across academia, practice education and service leads, and added to the case studies collected as part of the ECF in 2022.
In relation to the ECF, the role of a practice educator depends on the learning environment. In general, a practice educator coordinates and facilitates pre-registration student radiographers’ academic education being integrated into the practice setting.
This role can also involve providing support for postgraduate students and continuing professional development staff.
Scotland pay offer accepted by members across unions
SoR national officer for Scotland Chris Kennedy, by Eva Slusarek
Chris Kennedy, by Eva Slusarek
The Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee has confirmed union members across the region’s NHS have overwhelmingly accepted the Scottish government’s pay offer.
Following the 93 per cent approval in response to the Society of Radiographers’s consultation on acceptance of the award, radiographers in Scotland will see an increase to pay of 8 per cent over two years: 4.25 per cent from 1 April 2025, and 3.75 per cent from 1 April 2026.
Chris Kennedy, the SoR national officer for Scotland, said the two-year pay award gives a stable basis to progress further partnership discussions.
The pay award increase will start from June 2025, and the back pay will be included in members’ July 2025 pay.
This deal is the first in the UK to include an ‘inflation guarantee’, so that awards should be at least 1 per cent higher than the consumer price index inflation figure.
The society was the first union to call for such a mechanism to be introduced, as it believes this would help “close the public sector pay gap over time while positively supporting long-term recruitment and retention”.
SoR welcomes NHS pay award and confirms member consultation
Wes Streeting, by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images
Wes Streeting, by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images
The Society of Radiographers has welcomed the publication of the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) report and the announcement that the headline pay recommendations will be accepted in full.
This means that NHS staff in England will receive a 3.6 per cent pay increase, backdated to April 2025, with payments expected to begin from August.
While the same uplift is anticipated for staff in Wales and Northern Ireland, we are still awaiting confirmation on whether it will be fully funded and delivered to the same schedule.
Health secretary Wes Streeting has also confirmed a “funded mandate” to support structural reform of the NHS Agenda for Change pay framework.
However, details of this commitment remain unclear. Given the devolved nature of health policy, it is also uncertain whether implementation in Wales and Northern Ireland will mirror that of England.
The pay consultation for members in England, will close on Thursday 26 June. If you haven't received your invitation to complete the survey, please contact: tuir@sor.org.
Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging at the Society and College of Radiographers
Tom Welton, president of the SoR, by Eva Slusarek
Tom Welton, president of the SoR, by Eva Slusarek
Tom Welton, president of the Society of Radiographers, has shared his perspective on the importance of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging ahead of the release of the EDIB Action Plan.
He said: “At the Society of Radiographers, we know that fostering equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) is not just an aspiration, it is an essential part of who we are and how we serve our members. As president, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every member of the radiology workforce feels valued, supported and empowered to thrive.
“This EDIB Action Plan builds on the foundation of our previous commitments, taking meaningful steps to address systemic barriers, amplify underrepresented voices and create a more inclusive profession. It is not just a document; it is a call to action. Real change happens when we, as individuals and as a collective, commit to fostering an environment where every member can reach their full potential.”
Public statement: clarifying recent media coverage on mammography
Recent media coverage about the role of men in mammography has caused concern for people and the Society of Radiographers would like to provide reassurance and set the record straight.
The coverage followed a motion passed at the Society of Radiographers’ Annual Delegates Conference (ADC). The ADC provides members with the opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of the society. Each region and country proposes motions for debate, which are voted on by delegates at the conference.
The motion in question asked the society to explore how it could support fair access to mammography as a career, because mammography in breast screening is currently restricted to female staff.
It does not change NHS policy, and it does not mean that only male mammographers will be employed.
We understand that this coverage has led to distress and confusion, with some contacting screening services or cancelling appointments, concerned that they will be having a man perform their mammogram. We are deeply sorry for the concern this has caused and are working to provide clear and accurate information.
No changes have been made to who carries out breast screening by this motion.
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