News
Briefing
SoR CEO’s chance encounter with Dua Lipa
SoR CEO Richard Evans made a guest appearance on Greg James’ Radio 1 show on 15 November to promote radiography, after a chance encounter with pop star Dua Lipa when she asked him to review her newest song.
On 7 November, Richard had been stopped in the street as part of a promotional stunt for the singer’s latest single, before an outpouring of support from the radiography community online prompted presenter Greg James to invite Richard back onto the show a week later.
Greg said: “What a big fuss you have caused in the comments, Richard. The radiography community really does have your back.”
While on air, Richard thanked radiographers for their support, adding: “It’s really nice that everyone’s come out and made the comments. Radiography doesn’t get very much airplay, however hard we try. I’d like to say ‘hi’ to all radiographers listening, thank you for your support, and keep doing the good work.”
Click the image to hear Richard meet Greg on Radio 1
"Technology does not compensate for lack of workforce investment"
Plans to invest in more NHS scanners will not solve the workforce crisis, according to SoR director of industrial strategy Dean Rogers.
All three main political parties have announced plans to invest new money in hospitals, but without significant investment in the workforce new machines will not reduce NHS waiting lists. In the NHS, nine out of 10 patients referred beyond primary care are supported by a radiographer but there are currently one million patients waiting for scans, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
Mr Rogers said: “The inescapable truth is that there are currently too few radiographers in the workforce to carry out X-rays, MRI and CT scans, and to plan and deliver radiotherapy to cancer patients.”
Society members have reported having a new MRI or CT scanner installed in their department, only for the technology to remain largely unused because the machine was not supported by staffing budget.
Christopher Furlong / Staff/ Getty Images
Christopher Furlong / Staff/ Getty Images
Cancer specialists raise concerns around lack of government plan
The loss of a National Cancer Care Plan and the closure of the National Cancer Research Institute have compounded recurrent issues with cancer care, including major workforce deficits and the specialty’s increasingly complex nature, according to a policy review published in a medical journal by cancer specialists.
The Policy Review, published in medical journal The Lancet Oncology, has urged policymakers to develop “radical, yet sustainable” cancer control plans fit for the future, as 2,000 extra cancer cases a week are expected by 2040.
The report emphasised that “radiotherapy has been undeservedly neglected in both investment priority and visibility.”
Charlotte Beardmore, executive director of professional policy at the SoR, said: “Without a specific cancer plan there is grave concern that the downward trends in terms of access will continue as patients wait even longer for diagnosis and treatment. The evidence shows a concerning picture with waiting times spiralling downwards, rather than improving… this is shocking given the positive impact radiotherapy can have on patient outcomes.”
Deadline for HCPC renewal fast approaching
Whilst we prepare for the festive season another deadline is fast approaching - the time for radiographers to renew their registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Whenever you renew your registration with HCPC, you will be asked to sign a form to confirm that you continue to meet the standards of the HCPC, one of which is the standard for continuing professional development.
When each profession renews, the HCPC randomly selects 2.5 per cent of registrants from that profession and ask them to submit their CPD (continuing professional development) profile.
This is the CPD audit. If you are picked for audit, you need to complete a CPD profile by the deadline and provide supporting evidence that shows how the activities you have carried out meet the standards and the dates they were undertaken.
The College of Radiographers has been collaborating with 20 other organisations to bring together a set of five principles to help everyone involved in CPD and lifelong learning to show what responsibilities around CPD and lifelong learning should look like for individuals, organisations and the wider system, in health and social care.
The principles were written by a working group, known as ‘CPD Together’, representing organisations from across a range of health and social care sectors and unions. The group still meets and is working on ways to raise awareness of the principles and to ensure they become embedded.
‘Principles for continuing professional development and lifelong learning in health and social care’ is available online now.
Alongside the CPD principles, the College has also worked with nine other professional bodies to establish seven principles, first launched by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Royal College of Occupational Therapists in 2022, which can be used by everyone involved in practice-based learning: from students and apprentices to practice educators and service leads.
‘AHP principles of practice-based learning – working together to develop our future workforce’ is available on the SoR website.
The full CPD principles and associated resources can be found on the NHS learning Hub here.
Read the full publication ‘Principles for continuing professional development and lifelong learning in health and social care’ to find out more about these principles and how they benefit you, your employer and the wider systems.
You can access the principles on the NHS learning Hub here or on CPD Now in the resources section.
To find out more about the practice-based learning principles and how they benefit you, your employer and the wider systems, you can access ‘AHP principles of practice-based learning – working together to develop our future workforce’ on the SoR website.
Renewals for the HCPC are open now. The deadline for renewal is 28 February 2024 - to find out more about HCPC renewal and CPD audit click here.
Synergy wins prize at Association Excellence Awards 2023
The SoR and its publishing partner Wonderly were presented with the Best Association Newsletter or Magazine (circulation over 25,000) Award for Synergy last month at the 2023 Association Excellence Awards.
The annual event, first launched in 2015, aims to recognise the vital work of associations, trade bodies, and professional institutions on behalf of their members. Judges for the award praised the switch of Synergy from print to digital publication, and the magazine’s approach to membership communication.
The panel also recognised its commitment to sustainability, in line with the Society’s priorities, and for the look and content of the magazine.
Richard Evans, SoR CEO, said: “Synergy has always been identified with all that is good in radiography. The publication over the years has developed with the profession and it is brilliant that the latest evolution into digital format has been recognised in the Association Excellence Awards.”
The SoR and Wonderly team at the awards
The SoR and Wonderly team at the awards
International radiographer support launched
The SoR has launched two new e-learning sessions and a learning path to support radiographers trained overseas who are considering joining the NHS.
The sessions provide insight into the professional roles of diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers in the UK, and offer vital information to candidates from other countries interested in applying for positions in the NHS.
The 'Working in the NHS' session provides a brief overview of the NHS and the principles and values of the NHS Constitution. The 'Role of the Radiographer in the UK' session outlines the role under the Health and Care Professions Council regulation.
To ensure high-quality patient care and to support radiographer colleagues, it is crucial to coordinate the learning process with local and regional induction, preceptorship, mentorship, and personal support. Reflective practice, policies and procedures should be taken into consideration to ensure that this activity is beneficial.
International radiographers can access the sessions, free of charge, by registering at the e-learning portal.
Code of conduct launched for trade union representatives
The SoR prides itself on the standard of workplace representatives, including industrial relations, health and safety, and union learning representatives. We have recently reviewed our representatives' handbook and have made a few important additions. These include a code of conduct, a member’s charter, and a complaints procedure.
It is important that all accredited representatives of the Society of Radiographers conduct themselves in line with organisational values. We believe in equality, integrity, and advocacy. We behave with courtesy and transparency and are dedicated to providing value to our members.
Reps are on the front line and often go above and beyond their obligations. This code provides standards all reps should aim to follow, so that they may continue to act in the best interest of the Society of Radiographers and all of our members.
Going live in early December 2023, all representatives will be asked to sign up to the code of conduct to remain accredited. Reps will receive a link to the code via email and will have until 31 March 2024 to sign up.
If you have any questions, please contact tuir@sor.org
Improving recruitment for international practitioners
As part of efforts to facilitate and improve recruitment of internationally trained sonographers, the SoR is asking members to participate in a survey, organised jointly by NHS England and the British Medical Ultrasound Society, investigating recruitment efforts, whether successful or unsuccessful.
For departments who have not tried to recruit internationally or from those without a UK Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) accredited qualification, the SoR is interested in finding out the reasons behind that decision.
Responses will help identify key topics in preparation for developing supporting material for clinical departments, in collaboration with NHS England and CASE, which may assist internationally trained ultrasound practitioners and those with alternative qualifications. The survey aims to provide guidance, structure and a unified approach to recruitment and career progression.
The questionnaire should take less than 20 minutes. Take part in the survey here.
SoR launches Research Matters podcast
We’re delighted to launch our podcast Research Matters – a series that will showcase impactful research in radiography.
In our first episode, we’re joined by the 2023 recipient of the College of Radiographer’s Doctoral Fellowship Grant, Jason Elliott, a lecturer in diagnostic radiography and imaging at Cardiff University. Listen in as he explains how the grant will fund essential research into the ways shift-working can impact diagnostic radiographers. He’ll also share his tips for applying for the CoR Doctoral Fellowship Grant.
If you’re a diagnostic radiographer, you can contribute to the research project by completing this survey.
Image credit: Dua Lipa image: Frazer Harrison / Staff/ Getty Images
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