Be proud of our profession: World Radiography Day 2024

On 8 November 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen discovered by chance that invisible rays from a cathode ray tube could pass through objects and make a specially treated screen nine feet away glow. His discovery has revolutionised the entire field of medicine – from X-rays, CT and radiotherapy, to all the fields of radiography that play a vital role in hospitals around the world.

Every year on this day, radiographers celebrate this discovery and the profession as a whole by joining together, raising awareness and funds and shouting about the vital role imaging and radiotherapy play in the patient journey.

‘It’s all about raising awareness’

Sponsored by healthcare innovation firm Philips, World Radiography Day (WRD) aims to inspire radiographers and promote the profession to the wider world, through raffles, stalls and celebratory events across the country, as well as being shared online through #WRD2024.

As part of the WRD promotional efforts in recent years, ahead of the big day prominent members of the society have visited a recording facility in London, conducting a full morning of radio interviews to then be broadcast on WRD.

This year’s annual trip to the studio took place on Wednesday 6 November. Armed with a packed World Radiography Day itinerary, SoR CEO Richard Evans and president Tom Welton carried out multiple interviews with various radio stations to spread the word. Through their efforts, the SoR secured in all 20 hours of airtime promoting the profession, broadcast across an extensive network of 180 stations and reaching an impressive 51 million prime time listeners.

Major contributions came from Sky News Radio, which reached 34 million listeners, and On Air News Network, with its 173 dedicated subscriber stations, collectively reaching an additional 17 million listeners.

“World Radiography Day is an opportunity to place specific focus on the profession each year,” Richard said ahead of WRD 2024. “It’s really nice, in addition to our ordinary work of promoting the profession – which obviously goes on 365 days a year anyway – to have a day with specific focus.

“We’re very keen on highlighting the vital nature of radiography and healthcare. That’s always going to be a theme, to help promote the profession. But how that comes across in individual X-ray departments and radiotherapy departments up and down the country is going to be a little bit different. And that’s great.”

“It’s all about raising awareness,” said Tom. “But it was quite a nice feeling to be listened to around the country. As a radiographer, that’s not always the case. So being able to get on radio stations across different areas of the country was nice.

“Let’s be proud of our profession; let’s push it forward and know that we’re the ones to do it.”

Celebrating World Radiography Day your way

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Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey in the Channel Islands

“We had an amazing day and the event was well supported by staff, patients and service users!”

Cardiff University and University Hospital of Wales

“On World Radiography Day both Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiographers from Cardiff University joined forces with radiography staff from the University Hospital of Wales to promote radiography as a profession, and to share the good works we do in the two individual branches of radiography.”

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

“Celebrating #WorldRadiographyDay by recognising our amazing radiography and radiotherapy team at UHS. Every scan, every day, they bring care and expertise to patients. Thank you for all you do.”

St Bartholomew’s Hospital

“There were gifts, puzzles, cakes, sweets, prizes and individual gift packs, along with the launch of the Cardiac Radiographer of the Year awards!”

Dorset County Hospital

“Radiography apprenticeship students Sarah Geroge and Lydia Dare from Dorset County Hospital set up an excellent stall to inform staff and patients on the vital role of the radiographer and their career pathway – with a few on-topic games thrown in!”

London Southbank University

“Today we set up a stall at London Southbank University for our diagnostic and therapeutic radiography students and apprentices to promote their profession to their peers. We also had activities such as word searches and spot the fracture games to develop students’ learning. Of course we had sweets and stickers too! You know it’s a successful event when people are wanting to change course to join radiography.”

Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

James Cook Hospital, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

“We have had some interest from both staff and visitors who would like to become radiographers and were very grateful to have an insight about radiography from actual radiographers. We have also had plenty of interactive games on the stand, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all visitors.

“World Radiography Day is a time to celebrate our profession and be proud of what we do. It is important that we promote our career and it reminds us of colleagues we worked with over the years, past and present.”

Cumbria University

“Third years raised more than £1,000 (£1,153.21 to be exact) for our neonate unit at Lancashire teaching hospitals (charity: Baby Beat) with a raffle and donations. The team came in on their days off placement to raise the money and promote the profession of radiography.”

University of Exeter

“As we mark World Radiography Day, it’s inspiring to spotlight two enthusiastic first-year apprentice radiographers from the University of Exeter who have already become passionate advocates for their profession. Entering the world of radiography with open hearts and minds, they’ve committed themselves to mastering both the art and science of medical imaging, recognising the crucial role they play in patient care and healthcare as a whole.

“This special day not only celebrates the advancements in radiography, it also honours the people behind the technology. Eager to promote the profession, these apprentices have been spreading awareness about the essential role of radiographers within Dorset County Hospital. They remind others that radiography is more than just imaging; it’s about compassion, skill and precision. By sharing their journey with friends, family and future colleagues, they are helping to inspire the next generation to consider a path in radiography.”

World Radiography Day 2024 celebration from the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Lagos state branch

More about World Radiography Day

Celebrated every year on 8 November, World Radiography Day celebrates the hard work done by radiographers in the profession and seeks to raise awareness about the important role radiographers play in clinical settings.

Find out more about World Radiography Day celebrations online here

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