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SoR announces radiography strike dates in England
SoR executive director Dean Rogers
SoR executive director Dean Rogers
The Society of Radiographers has announced that it will be holding 48 hours of strikes, from 8am on Tuesday 25 July to 8am on Thursday 27 July 2023.
The union sent a letter to affected NHS trusts on Thursday 6 July, notifying them of the dates when members will be withdrawing their labour, after ministers ruled out further talks while industrial action was proposed.
Representatives from each trust will work with employers to provide life and limb cover for patients. This usually consists of the same staffing levels that would be provided on a bank holiday.
Members in trusts including the Royal Marsden, University College London Hospitals, Liverpool University Hospitals and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, have a mandate to go out on strike if the government is not prepared to discuss urgent improvements to pay and conditions for the radiography workforce.
Dean Rogers, SoR executive director of industrial strategy and member relations, said: “Voting for strike action is never easy. Going out on strike will be even more difficult for our members, who care above all about the safety and wellbeing of their patients.
“The Society of Radiographers had been seeking meaningful discussions with the government without success, since starting their industrial action ballot across England. Following a strong vote for strike action in the ballot, the society was invited to a meeting with Will Quince, the minister for health, on 4 July. This was followed by another meeting on 6 July.
“In both meetings, the SoR explained that our members were working long hours for low pay, and that this was forcing radiographers to leave the profession, resulting in chronic understaffing and long waiting lists. We asked for: more pay now and a review of the 5% pay offer; funding to support recruitment and retention; support for long-term pay restoration; and clear support for better working conditions.
“They have now indicated they will not talk to the SoR”
“The government acknowledged our concerns but made no concrete proposals. They have now indicated they will not talk to the SoR any further while industrial action is proposed – something we find regrettable for staff, patients and future industrial relations. Strike action is a last resort. But our members believe they have no alternative, because the government won’t take the action needed to address their concerns.”
In an email to members, the SoR team said: “We know that it is always a difficult decision to go out on strike, but we would hope that to ensure effectiveness of the action you will join your colleagues on the picket line or stay home from work on those days.
“You will be able to join the strike even if you didn’t vote in our strike ballot, if you voted against strike action or if you have joined the SoR since the ballot has closed. Your reps will be able to support you and will be provided with materials for the days of strike so please speak to them regarding the arrangements for the picket lines.”
Editor-in-Chief Jonathan McNulty
Editor-in-Chief Jonathan McNulty
Radiography journal impact factor hits new heights
Radiography journal has received its first Clarivate Journal Impact Factor of 2.6, emphasising its place as the number one ranked international journal for the profession, inclusive of diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy.
The impact factor represents the average number of times that articles from a journal published in the past two years have been cited in the Journal Citations Report year.
Associate Professor Jonathan McNulty, Editor in Chief of Radiography, said the rating was a result of "well over a decade of efforts by all involved in the journal leadership", including his predecessor Professor Julie Nightingale and her predecessor Professor Peter Hogg.
"I would like to personally thank all who have helped the journal reach this milestone, editors past and present, international advisory board members, and of course our reviewers. It is also important to recognise our authors, and our ever-growing readership from around the world. The membership of the Society and College of Radiographers are at the heart of this."
Charlotte Beardmore, Executive Director of Professional Policy at the Society and College of Radiographers, said: "This is a fantastic and well deserved achievement for the Radiography journal, and I would like to offer thanks to our Editor in Chief Dr Jonathan McNulty and his predecessors, who have all helped contribute to this success.
"I would like to pass on our thanks to the entire leadership team and to Elsevier for their support as our publisher. This is an important milestone supporting the Society and College’s goal in continuing to attract and publish the highest quality radiography research from around the world within the journal".
Cora Regan
Cora Regan
Northern Ireland SoR members: update your details for the ballot!
Health and social care staff in Northern Ireland are still without a pay offer for 2022/23 and a formal ballot of SoR members on industrial action will commence in August/September, and take place over a four-week period.
SoR National Officer for Northern Ireland Cora Regan said members should ensure their membership details are correct (postal address, email address, mobile number and employer details) or they risk not receiving a ballot paper or their completed ballot paper being rendered invalid. Please check your details and send any amendments to the SoR membership team at: membershipteam@sor.org
Welsh government offers to re-open 2023-24 pay talks
The SoR has welcomed the Welsh government's offer to re-open discussions on the 2023-24 pay award, with a view to strengthening elements not directly relating to headline pay, as a consequence of the SoR and others having remained in dispute.
An SoR spokesperson said: “We are hopeful these talks will produce outcomes that can ease the radiography workforce crisis in Wales. As a consequence of talks, we will suspend any industrial ballot of members in Wales until we can assess the outcomes. This will happen by the end of July”.
New incubator to support radiographers into research
Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) has been selected to set up an incubator programme to encourage more radiographers into research.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded Imperial College AHSC funding for three years to set up the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiographers Incubator.
The incubator aims to stimulate, inspire and guide radiographers to engage in and lead research projects by identifying the barriers to them participating through surveys, and highlighting best practice and solutions.
It will also create a radiographer-specific programme of research development opportunities such as mentoring and career guidance and create a national community of radiographers interested in research.
The incubator is led by Dr Helen McNair, lead research radiographer in radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. She said: “Therapeutic and diagnostic radiographers have the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality research to improve outcomes, patient experience and the delivery of care.
"However, there is a low take-up of radiographers across the NHS doing research. There is a clear need to address the barriers that prevent radiographers from engaging and leading research as well as provide a comprehensive programme of support.”
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