News
Briefing
Image: Breige Cobane
Image: Breige Cobane
Society calls on health secretary to end radiography workforce crisis
The Society of Radiographers has written to the health secretary calling for urgent discussions to end the radiography workforce crisis.
In an open letter to the Secretary of State for Health Steve Barclay, SoR CEO Richard Evans said he hopes to avoid further industrial action, and set out measures to end the current dispute.
In the letter, sent on Thursday, 10 October, Mr Evans urged Mr Barclay to enter into discussions with SoR, and to implement pay restoration and emergency recruitment payments to help tackle the staff shortages.
Mr Evans said: “It remains our hope that further action will not be necessary. Meaningful discussions are now urgently required, resulting in a tangible offer for us to convey to our members. This should include measures to address the radiography retention crisis. The aim of the meeting must be to remove the risk of further action and settle our dispute.”
Richard Evans sets out SoR support for diversity roles
The CEO of the Society of Radiographers has responded to the health secretary's criticism of diversity roles within the NHS.
In a letter addressed to the heads of integrated care boards, the Secretary of State for Health, Steve Barclay, said he was concerned about NHS funds being used to recruit for diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, and urged managers to redirect resources into frontline patient care.
In response to the letter, SoR CEO Richard Evans accused political leaders of being “out of touch” and highlighted the health and economic benefits of focussing on diversity and inclusion.
Mr Evans said: “Radiographers are already aware of how little the secretary of state and his team are engaged with the fundamental challenges affecting the health of the population and the sustainability of the NHS. This news reinforces the impression of our political leadership being completely out of touch with the key factors behind the very health priorities that they themselves claim to champion.”
Dates and venue announced for UKIO 2024
The College of Radiographers and fellow organisers of UKIO have announced the dates and venue for the 2024 event. Taking place at ACC Liverpool once again, the UK Imaging and Oncology Congress will run from Monday 10 June to Wednesday 12 June, 2024.
UKIO this year will cater to a multidisciplinary audience, with a large exhibition space, and a host of events. Announcing the plans for 'UKIO 2024 - Vision and values: Putting people first,' the organisers also said the event will feature an accessible pricing model.
There will continue to be value-for-money congress fees to access the entire three days of the event, as well as a full-access free ticket on Wednesday. In addition, there will also be exhibition-only options, which can be used on any day.
Registrations are due to open before the end of the year, and early booking discounts will be available. Find out more about past UKIO events and plans for 2024 here.
It's almost time to renew your HCPC registration
The renewal window for your Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as a registered radiographer is coming up on 1 December 2023.
The window is open for 3 months and closes on 28 February 2024. It’s important that you renew your registration successfully and on time, so that you can continue to practise as a radiographer for the next two-year cycle.
To be best prepared ahead of your renewal, the HCPC advises you to make sure your email address and contact details are correct in advance – you can update them on your HCPC online account.
Set a reminder and don’t leave it to the last minute – you can renew via your HCPC online account as soon as the window opens on 1 December 2023. You can find more details and renewal guidance on the HCPC website at www.hcpc-uk.org/renew.
Credit: Richard Johnson / Getty Images
Credit: Richard Johnson / Getty Images
SoR calls for removal of asbestos from hospitals
The Society of Radiographers has joined other trade unions in calling for the removal of any remaining asbestos from hospitals and other public buildings.
In a joint letter, signed by 27 trade unions including SoR, the Royal College of Midwives, and the teachers’ union NASUWT, they called for all major UK political parties to set a 40-year deadline to remove deadly asbestos from non-domestic buildings.
The letter, addressed to the leaders of the Conservatives, the Green Party, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats, also urges the parties to include the commitment in their next General Election manifestos.
Rhys Martin, health and safety policy officer at the SoR, said: “At the society we have been very much involved in the fight against asbestos and the dangers it creates.
“Alongside working with our trade union colleagues on this campaign and providing training to our safety representatives to help hold employers to account, we continue to organise Freedom of Information requests to gain a greater understanding of the depth of asbestos issues in the NHS estate.”
NI health executives call for action on health worker pay
A call from Northern Ireland's health executives for urgent action on health worker pay has been welcomed by the Society of Radiographers.
On Tuesday, 17 October, the heads of six Northern Ireland health and social care trusts highlighted the need for “urgent action” on pay awards for staff, following strike action last month.
The letter, signed by the chief executives of Northern Ireland’s six trusts and addressed to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, acknowledges the challenges in funding for Northern Ireland, but calls for action to find a solution to the ongoing pay disputes.
Cora Regan, SoR’s national officer for Northern Ireland, said: “The chief executives reiterate the call from the trade union Leads in NI that the current situation of staff in NI being the lowest paid in the UK is unsustainable and timely remedial intervention must not hinge on the restoration of the Stormont assembly. Mr Heaton-Harris must act quickly to prevent escalation of industrial action and the potential impact of such action on services.”
Cora Regan
Cora Regan
Society urges radiographers to share experiences in new surveys
The Society of Radiographers is urging its members to get involved in three separate surveys, centred around research culture, Patient Public and Practitioner Partnerships, and developing the clinical imaging programme.
Each of the three surveys can be completed online and all data will be anonymised. See below for more details:
Built with Shorthand