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Radiographers share experiences of burnout: ‘We need to make the system better’
According to a survey of more than 1,300 radiographers, two in three (65 per cent) have experienced burnout directly related to work. More than a quarter (28 per cent) have taken time off from work over burnout, and a third (31 per cent) have had to take off more than a month.
Across the SoR’s 33,000 members, this could mean more than 9,000 radiographers across the UK have taken sick leave because of burnout.
The survey’s findings echo concerns raised in the recent review of the NHS by Lord Ara Darzi, where he highlighted the high levels of sickness-related absence affecting the service.
Lord Darzi stated: “Pressure and stress are at high levels, which contributes to poor morale. This leads to burnout, absenteeism, high turnover and the loss of trained staff. This dynamic impairs patient safety. There are distressingly high levels of sickness absence – as much as one working month a year for each nurse and each midwife working in the NHS.”
Medical imaging course at University of Exeter celebrates 20 years of excellence
The University of Exeter is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the launch of its medical imaging programme, where it has trained more than 1,000 radiographers.
Introduced in 2004 to help address the national shortage of radiographers, the university has active placements in 10 NHS trusts across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
The UK government has recognised the NHS’s need for 25 per cent more clinical radiographers – 4,000 more than are currently active – which the University of Exeter is helping to reach through its courses.
In the last four years, the team at Exeter has launched the country’s first innovative degree apprenticeship in diagnostic radiography, which offers the opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ and a mix of time in NHS and academic settings. This results in a full degree and a pre-registration MSc degree apprenticeship, as well as an MSci, to help prepare radiographers for enhanced practice.
SoR launches The Student Radiographer Podcast – for students, by students
The Society of Radiographers’ Student Network has launched The Student Radiographer Podcast, providing a forum to discuss wellbeing and the profession.
Launched on 23 September, the podcast aims to inform, empower, equip, encourage and give voice to student radiographers.
Students across the country, from first to fourth year, diagnostic or therapeutic, whether full time, part time or apprentice, listeners will find important conversation, community, interviews, information and more.
Student radiographers Rebekah Vyce (third-year diagnostic radiography, University of the West of England), Connor Parish (third-year therapeutic radiography, University of Suffolk) and Alice Denslow (second-year diagnostic radiography degree apprentice, Exeter University) founded the podcast and also host it, aiming to bring greater attention to student wellbeing.
Episode one, ‘WHO are we and WHY are we here?’, is now available to stream on Spotify and Soundcloud.
Radiographer-led pathway to improve NG tube safety launched
The Society of Radiographers is working alongside other organisations to launch a radiographer-led nasogastric (NG) tube position check pathway.
Aimed at reducing misplacement incidents and improving patient safety, the pathway has been developed with the Royal College of Radiologists, the British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology and the British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
Radiographers will be trained to evaluate and record NG tube placement via X-ray, increasing efficiency and providing a safe, consistent and structured process.
The pathway involves a structured competency-based training programme, including e-learning modules, to equip radiographers with the skills and confidence to perform NG tube checks independently. NHS Trusts and Health Boards are encouraged to pilot this initiative, with full governance approval required for local implementation.
Sue Johnson, SoR professional officer for clinical imaging, highlighted the initiative’s importance: “This pathway empowers radiographers to take a crucial role in preventing avoidable harm, deliver faster, safer care, and ensure timely patient interventions.”
Trade Union Congress: ‘Roll up our sleeves and get involved’
TUC general secretary Paul Novak
TUC general secretary Paul Novak
The 156th annual Trades Union Congress, held from 8-11 September in Brighton, saw the Society of Radiographers raise multiple motions for consideration.
Its first motion called upon the Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Council and affiliates to work with the government, and across public and private sectors, to provide access to affordable, secure rented housing for public sector professionals. Its second motion was for the TUC to lobby Westminster about improving investment in falls prevention, education and awareness, and early diagnosis.
The SoR called upon the TUC to improve public sector recruitment, including publicly supported accommodation, and also to invest in falls prevention, education and awareness in primary care, as this, combined with early diagnosis, is proven to greatly reduce risks of osteoporosis.
Are you prepared for Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Amendments 2024?
The Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations 2017 have been updated following a parliamentary session earlier this month (3 September).
The Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure (Amendments) Regulations 2024 statutory instrument legislation is now due to come into force on 1 October 2024.
A wide range of improvements have been made to the regulations, in line with recommendations from the 2022-23 post-implementation review, to better reflect current healthcare delivery practices.
Updates to the regulations include:
- Amending a number of definitions within the 2017 regulations, including expanding the meaning of ‘equipment’ to include any software that directly assists the operator in carrying out a clinical evaluation
- Inserting a new regulation 6A (Employer’s duties: cooperation between employers) which obliges employers to cooperate with each other by exchanging information, or otherwise
- Amending the training requirements for practitioners and operators set out in table 2 of Schedule 3 (Adequate Training) of the 2017 regulations
Image credits:
owngarden via GettyImages
TUC president Paul Nowak, by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
University of Exeter
Monty Rakusen via GettyImages
Student Radiographer Podcast
SolStock via GettyImages
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