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Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
Synergy News                                                          ISSN 1741-4245 • www.sor.org

                                                                                        May 2021

THROUGH A NEW LENS
Students raise the profile of radiography, page 7

            2   6
NEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF               UK ROUND-UP OF   WE WELCOME THREE        HOW RADIOGRAPHERS
 FOR RADIOGRAPHY            om : PAY CHANGES FOR     NEW OFFICERS            ARE LEADING ON
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     JOURNAL fe Space Session RADIOGRAPHERS         TO THE SOCIETY           DIGITAL CHANGE
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       Page 3                       Page 5              Page 9                   Pages 15-17
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
2

CONTACTS                                                                                                                 SYNERGY NEWS
THE SOCIETY OF RADIOGRAPHERS                                                                                             Editorial
                                                                                                                         Colin Cooper, Natasha Abramson
207 Providence Square, Mill Street, London SE1 2EW                                                                       editorial@synergymagazine.co.uk
                                                                                                                         Commercial
Tel: 020 7740 7200 • Email: info@sor.org                                                                                 Display advertising Daniel Greenaway
                                                                                                                         daniel.greenaway@haymarket.com
                                                                                                                         tel 07540 371347
If you require advice or assistance with an industrial relations or health and safety issue, please contact your         Recruitment Michael Scowen
workplace IR or H&S representative. Alternatively, get in touch with your regional officer. If you are not sure          michael.scowen@haymarket.com
                                                                                                                         tel 020 8267 4083
which regional officer covers your place of employment, go to the regions section in the members’ area of                Short courses and study days
www.sor.org or telephone Vicky Andrews on 020 7740 7234.                                                                 Sam Irvine sam.irvine@haymarket.com
                                                                                                                         tel 07990 510974

To contact Richard Evans, chief executive officer, email richarde@sor.org or telephone 020 7740 7202.                    Haymarket Business Media,
                                                                                                                         Bridge House, 69 London Road,
                                                                                                                         Twickenham TW1 3SP
For the full SoR staff listing, visit www.sor.org/about-us/sor-staff.

COUNCIL                                   OFFICERS                               PROFESSIONAL
                                                                                 SUPPORT OFFICERS
President                                 Chief executive officer                                                              Haymarket is certified by BSI to
Chris Kalinka MSc DRI DCR(R)              Richard Evans OBE HDCR                 Spencer Goodman MSc PgDIp FHEA             environmental standard ISO14001 and
chris.kalinka@wales.nhs.uk                richarde@sor.org                       DCR (T)                                   energy management standard ISO5001.

                                          Executive secretary                    spencerg@sor.org
President elect                           Liz Robinson
Claire Donaldson BSc (Hons)               lizr@sor.org                           Gill Harrison MSc DMU PFHEA PgC L&T
claire.donaldson@nhs.scot                                                        in HE, DCR(R) Dip CH P (MT)
                                          Director of finance and operations     gillh@sor.org
Vice-president                            Dilip Manek
Ross McGhee                               dilipm@sor.org                         Lynda Johnson MSc DCR(R)
ross.mcghee@ggc.scot.nhs.uk                                                      lyndaj@sor.org
                                          Director of industrial strategy                                                                               PEFC Certified                              PEF

Chair of council/                         and member relations
                                          Dean Rogers                            Sue Johnson MA PgC BSc (Hons) DCR(R)                                   This product is
                                                                                                                                                        from sustainably
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                                                                                                                                                                                                    from
immediate past president                  deanr@sor.org                          suej@sor.org                                                           managed forests and
                                                                                                                                                        controlled sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                    man
                                                                                                                                                                                                    con
Gill Hodges DCR(T)
gill.hodges@belfasttrust.hscni.net        Director of professional policy        Dorothy Keane FCR,PGD,DCR(R)                         PEFC/16-33-197
                                                                                                                                      PEFC/16-33-1007   www.pefc.org              PEFC/16-33-1007   ww

                                          Charlotte Beardmore FCR MBA            dorothyk@sor.org
NORTHERN IRELAND                          BSc (Hons) DCR(R) and (T)
Cora Regan BSc (Hons) (R)                 charlotteb@sor.org                     Alex Lipton PGD (MRI), DCR, PGC                                        PEFC Certified                              PEF
                                                                                                                         DISCLAIMER
cora.regan@northerntrust.hscni.net                                               alexl@sor.org
                                          Professional and educational manager                                           © The Society of Radiographers This product is
                                                                                                                                                        from sustainably
                                                                                                                                                                          2021                      This
                                                                                                                                                                                                    from

                                          Dr Rachel Harris D Clin Res,                                                   Unless otherwise indicated,    managed views
                                                                                                                                                                  forests andexpressed              man
SCOTLAND                                                                         Maria Murray MPhil, CRadP, MSRP,                                       controlled sources
                                                                                                                         are those of the editorial staff, contributors
                                                                                                                                                                                                    con
                                          MSc, PgD, PgCCE, DCR (T)
Claire Donaldson BSc (Hons)               rachelh@sor.org                        fHEA, DCR(T)                            and correspondents.
                                                                                                                                      PEFC/16-33-1007 They   are not necessarilyPEFC/16-33-1007
                                                                                                                                                        www.pefc.org                                ww

claire.donaldson@nhs.scot                                                        mariam@sor.org                          the views of The Society of Radiographers,
                                          Finance manager                                                                its officers, or Council. The publication of
Ross McGhee                               Ian Hadlow                             Dr Tracy O’Regan DProf MSc PgCTLCP      an advertisement does not imply that a                                     PEF
ross.mcghee@ggc.scot.nhs.uk               ih@sor.org                             BSc (Hons)                              product is recommended by The Society.
                                                                                                                                                                                                    This
                                                                                                                         Material may only be reproduced by prior
Sharon Stewart DCR (R) BSc (Hons)                                                tracyo@sor.org                                                                                                     from

                                          External relations, marketing                                                  arrangement and with due acknowledgement                                   man
                                                                                                                                                                                                    con
Health Studies MSc MRI                    and communications manager             Nigel Thomson MSc, TDCR, DMU, Cert Ed   to Synergy News.                                                           con
                                                                                                                                                                                  PEFC/16-33-1007   ww
s.l.stewart@gcu.ac.uk                     Jessica Reid                           nigelt@sor.org
WALES                                     jessicar@sor.org
                                                                                 Michelle Tyler
Chris Kalinka MSc DRI DCR(R)
                                                                                 michellet@sor.org                       MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
chris.kalinka@wales.nhs.uk                REGIONAL OFFICERS
                                          Eastern                                Jacquie Vallis MA PgDip BSc(Hons)       Subscription rates for the
Gareth Thomas                             Elaine Brooks                                                                  2020-21 subscription year
thomasg19@cardiff.ac.uk                   elaineb@sor.org                        jacquiev@sor.org
                                                                                                                         • Ordinary and associated professionals
ENGLAND                                   London                                 Student support officer (interim)
                                                                                                                           (non-radiographers) £285
Eastern                                   Jennie Bremner                         Nichola Jamison                         • Reduced rate £198
Sue Webb BSc (Hons)                       jennieb@sor.org                        students@sor.org                        • International £135
susan.webb@meht.nhs.uk                    Midlands                                                                       • Accredited assistant
                                          Richard Pembridge                      Conference and events manager             practitioner £132
London                                    richardp@sor.org                       Claire Brown                            • Radiographic assistant £87
Vassilios Nevrides BSc (Hons)                                                    claireb@sor.org                         • Retired (not working) £66
vnevrides@nhs.net                         Northern Ireland                                                               • Student (year 1 free) £45
                                          Leandre Archer MSc BSc (Hons)          Knowledge manager
Midlands                                  leandrea@sor.org                                                               The Society’s subscription year extends
                                                                                 Eugene Statnikov MSc                    from 1 October 2020 to 30 September
David Pilborough BA BSc (Hons)            Northern, Yorkshire and North Trent    eugenes@sor.org                         2021. Payments can be made by monthly
david.pilborough@nhs.net                  Helen Wickham                                                                  direct debit instalments or by an annual
                                          helenw@sor.org                         Membership services manager             payment by debit/credit card for the full
North West
                                                                                 Joel Wilkins                            membership fee.
Thomas Welton BSc (Hons)                  North West
                                          Marie Lloyd                            joelw@sor.org
bigradtom@gmail.com                                                                                                      Membership payments may be suspended
                                          marie.lloyd@sor.org                                                            during maternity/paternity and adoption
Northern                                                                         Health and safety officer
                                                                                                                         leave. Email Joel Wilkins or telephone the
Sarah Burn BSc (Hons) (R)                 Scotland                               Ian Cloke                               membership department for more details.
                                          Yvonne Stewart                         ianc@sor.org
sarah.burn4@nhs.net                       yvonnes@sor.org                                                                Contact Joel Wilkins joelw@sor.org
South East                                                                       Industrial relations manager            tel 020 7740 7228
                                          South East                             Vacant
Robin Bickerton BSc (Hons) (R)            Marie Bullough MA DCR(R)
robin.bickerton@ouh.nhs.uk                marieb@sor.org                                                                 If you would like to opt out of receiving
                                                                                                                         postal copies of this journal and would
South West                                South West                                                                     prefer to read it online, please contact
Katie Thompson                            Peter Higgs                                                                    membership@sor.org.
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                                                                                                                         The Society operates a Political Fund and
                                          Wales                                                                          members are can opt out at any time by
Yorks/North Trent
                                          Kevin Tucker DCR(R)                                                            visiting https://www.sor.org/sor-political-fund
Helen Adamson                             kevint@sor.org                                                                 and logging in with their membership details.
helen.adamson@midyorks.nhs.uk

MAY 2021                                                                                                                                                                 sor.org
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
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New editor-in-chief appointed
to Radiography journal
The SCoR is thrilled to announce        associate dean. He is a university       SCoR President Chris Kalinka
the appointment of Dr Jonathan          fellow in teaching and academic          welcomed him in a letter confirming
McNulty as editor-in-chief of the       development and his research             the post: ‘We are truly delighted to
Society’s prestigious international     interests include healthcare             have your considerable expertise,
journal Radiography.                    education research, optimisation,        impressive editorial experience
   Dr McNulty will shadow the           neuroimaging and forensic imaging.       and forward-thinking approach.
current editor-in-chief, Professor                                               From your role as EFRS President,
Julie Nightingale, for six months       International research                   we have seen first-hand your
before taking up the three-year         Dr McNulty has delivered more            ability to work collaboratively
post in January.                        than 150 conference presentations,       and strategically when reaching
   He will work with the Council        contributed to more than 80 journal      important goals.
of the Society of Radiographers,        articles and has held significant                                                   Dr Jonathan McNulty
the trustees of the College of          national and international research      Excellent work
Radiographers and the publisher,        grants. He is former chairman            ‘All of the above means the future
Elsevier, to set out a vision and       of the Erasmus Radiography               of the Radiography journal is in           to working with Jonathan and the
strategy for the journal for its next   Group, a consortium of 16                very safe hands. We know that you          team in our handover period and
publishing term.                        academic institutions from across        will continue the excellent work           wish him every success.’
   Dr McNulty is the associate          Europe, and former chairman              of Professor Julie Nightingale to             Nejc Mekiš, a member of the
professor/associate dean for            of the Radiographers’ Scientific         ensure the journal provides the            journal’s editorial board from the
graduate taught studies in the          Subcommittee for European                highest quality, peer-reviewed             University of Ljubljana, Slovenia,
School of Medicine, University          Congress of Radiology.                   content, and best meets the                said: ‘This is excellent news. I
College Dublin, where he also               He was elected to the board          educational and research needs of          want to congratulate Jonathan
coordinates the BSc (Hons)              of the European Federation of            the profession.’                           on being selected for such a
diagnostic radiography (graduate        Radiographer Societies (EFRS),              Professor Nightingale said:             significant and essential role.
entry) programme. He was head of        representing more than 110,000           ‘Jonathan has extensive experience            ‘Radiography is one of the
subject radiography (2016-2019)         radiographers across Europe, in          and his international expertise and        best journals for radiographers
and has also coordinated the            November 2014. He was President          contacts gained through his roles          in the world. It is an essential
BSc radiography programme.              from 2017 to 2021.                       within the EFRS will be helpful in         journal and I don’t doubt this
   Dr McNulty oversees 60                   Dr McNulty is currently              driving our journal forwards into the      will continue in the future with
postgraduate programmes as              associate editor of Radiography.         next phase. I am looking forward           Jonathan as editor-in-chief.’

  ‘It is essential we actively engage with the evidence base’
  It is an honour to be trusted with the role        with them as editor-in-chief, along with the          We can do this as students looking toward
  of editor-in-chief of Radiography. For the         Elsevier team, led by the executive publisher,        entering our profession and we should continue
  past six years, I have been an associate           Cathi O’Hara, and the team at the Society and         to do this until the end of our professional
  editor of the journal and it has been great to     College of Radiographers.                             careers. The Radiography journal is one of the
  see the growth during this period in terms             It will be important to make sure that the        main vehicles to facilitate this and it is, therefore,
  of the quality and number of submissions;          strategy for Radiography is aligned with the new      of significant importance to our profession as
  the efficacy and quality of the peer review        SCoR research strategy and also looks to the          a whole.
  process; contributions from authors and            research strategy of the EFRS.                           I am humbled by the messages from
  reviewers from a growing number of                                                                       around the world that I have received since the
  countries; efforts to better engage with           Important contributions                               announcement of my appointment, and I look
  the profession; our readership; our journal        As a profession, whether we work in medical           forward to working for our profession,
  metrics; and of the profile of our journal.        imaging or radiation therapy, in clinical practice,   and radiographers around the
                                                     academia or in industry, it is essential that we      world, in this role.
  Strong teams in place                              are actively engaged with the evidence base
  We have a strong leadership team, editorial        underpinning our profession. We can do this           Dr Jonathan McNulty,
  board and International Advisory Group in place    through contributing to research as researchers,      incoming editor-in-chief,
  for the journal, and I look forward to working     authors, reviewers, or critical readers.              Radiography

sor.org                                                                                                                                                MAY 2021
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
4

Help build the
                                                                             recommending a complete                      as part of the Radiate series of
                                                                             overhaul of imaging services                 radiography wellbeing events.
                                                                             in England, major investment                 You can watch the full recording

next AHP strategy
                                                                             in equipment and the planned                 at www.sor.org/radiate.
                                                                             recruitment of 4,000 more
                                                                             radiographers.                               To register your interest in the
                                                                                The AHPs Listen online                    AHPs Listen project, visit

for England                                                                  workshop is a safe and
                                                                             anonymous space. It is designed
                                                                             to be similar to a physical
                                                                                                                          https://ahpslisten.org/en/signUp

                                                                             workshop but more flexible and
RADIOGRAPHERS will soon               areas made more than 4,000             inclusive to gather honest views
be able to take part in a national    contributions to the project.          from everyone involved.
crowdsourcing exercise to help            They described what was               You can join from any computer
develop the next five-year strategy   important to them in how they          or mobile device and visit as
for NHS England.                      receive help with their health         many times as you like, 24 hours
    The AHPs Listen project is        and social care, how AHPs can          a day, seven days a week. Users
being led by Janice St. John-         support them to stay well and          can read, rate and comment upon
Matthews, the first radiographer      how technology might help in           the ideas of others.
to be appointed clinical fellow to    the future.                               Janice was speaking at a
the chief allied health professions       Janice said the strategy           webinar organised by the SoR                 Janice St. John-Matthews
officer (England).                    development project was unique
    Radiographers will be able        in seeking the views of the public
to join the online conversation       first, and she was now looking
between 10 and 24 May and             forward to hearing from fellow
share their views to inform the       radiographers among the AHP
AHPs into Action strategy, which      community.
will be implemented from 2022.            ‘We need to be in this space.
    The topics for discussion were    I really want to hear the voice
formed from the analysis of a         from radiography. We do so many
first conversation with citizens      brilliant things in the profession
in March, alongside key health        but we do not often shout about
and social care strategies and        them,’ Janice said.
policies.                                 The strategy comes at a
    More than 1,000 people            significant time for the profession,
from more than 500 postcode           with the Richards report               Look closely to spot both diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers in the illustration

SoR backs poster campaign on NHS pay
THE SOCIETY of Radiographers          Scotland announced that NHS
joined a public poster campaign       workers would receive a 4%
last month in support of a proper     increase. Northern Ireland has
pay rise for NHS workers in           also given £2,000 ‘thank you’
England.                              payments to students and £500
   Fourteen health unions across      to healthcare workers, while
the country asked households          Wales has offered all staff a £735
to colour in or create their own      bonus (see opposite page).
bright posters to display in their       Meanwhile, there are more than
windows on 1 April.                   100,000 vacant NHS posts and
                                      four out of 10 NHS workers are
Special designs                       receiving a state benefit while
The Society had a special             feeling burnt out, demoralised and
selection of radiography-themed       underpaid during the pandemic,
posters created for people to         according to the campaign.              Radiography posters
download and colour in.                  Other ways to support the            to colour and display
  The move followed the               campaign include writing to
government in England                 your MP and you can also tweet
recommending a pay rise of only       your support using the hashtag
1% for 2021-22, while in March        #WithNHSstaff.

MAY 2021                                                                                                                                               sor.org
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
5

SoR consults members                                                                                            year of significant pressure for
                                                                                                                staff. This follows Scotland’s
                                                                                                                £500 ‘thank you’ payment for

on Scotland’s 4% pay offer                                                                                      health and social care workers.
                                                                                                                   The offer is in stark contrast to
                                                                                                                the UK government’s submission
                                                                                                                to the NHS Pay Review Body,
THE SOCIETY of                          The government advises that it                                          which provided for a £250
Radiographers is consulting          is underwriting the offer from its                                         uplift for staff earning less than
members working in Scotland          current funds.                                                             £24,000 and 1% for all other
on a pay offer that the Scottish        Pay talks were intense and                                              NHS Agenda for Change staff.
government has said would            Staff Side considered this was                                                Dean Rogers, SoR director
ensure staff on pay bands 1 to 7     the best offer it could achieve                                            of industrial strategy and
would receive at least a 4% pay      via negotiation, which is why                                              member relations said: ‘I want
rise compared with 2020/21.          all health unions will now be                                              to congratulate the trade union
   Staff who earned less than        consulting with their members.                                             side leaders in Scotland –
£25,000 in 2020/21 would                The SoR began emailing links                                            including SoR national officer
receive a guaranteed minimum         to members working in the NHS                                              Yvonne Stewart, who was part
increase of more than £1,000 in      in Scotland from 16 April.                                                 of the negotiation team – for
2021/22, the government said.           Once you have received the                                              forcing the issue when they
   This means that staff on the      link to the SoR’s consultation,                                            saw an opportunity to get some
lowest Agenda for Change pay         you should follow the instructions                                         concession ahead of the
point would receive a 5.4%           and submit your response. If you                                           Scottish elections.
increase. Those on the highest       have not received a link to the
pay points would receive uplifts     consultation, please contact
                                                                           ‘The offer is a                         ‘The offer is a reasonable one
                                                                                                                and we will now be consulting
of £800.                             the industrial relations team at      reasonable one                       fully with Scottish members over
   The Scottish government made      tuir@sor.org.
its final pay offer to Agenda for       While pay increases are
                                                                           and we will now be                   the detail during the coming
                                                                                                                weeks’.
Change employees on 24 March,        usually effective from 1 April, the   consulting fully with
having chosen not to participate     2021/22 pay settlement will be
in the UK Pay Review Body            backdated to 1 December 2020
                                                                           our members’                         What do you think?
                                                                                                                Email your comments to
process.                             in recognition of an exceptional      Dean Rogers                          editorial@synergymagazine.co.uk

SoR welcomes £735 bonus                                                                                         Final reforms
                                                                                                                to Agenda for
for ‘courageous’ staff in Wales                                                                                 Change pay
                                                                                                                STRUCTURAL REFORM of all
THE SoR has warmly welcomed                                                bonus payment in recognition of      pay bands was completed on
the Welsh government’s pay                                                 the work being carried out in the    1 April and each pay band has a
bonus, announced on 17 March.                                              face of a pandemic and national      two- or three-pay-step structure.
   The bonus will be worth £735                                            emergency.                              The pay structure is
and will be given to all health                                               Kevin Tucker, SoR national        underpinned by the Job
and social care staff. It also                                             officer for Wales, said:             Evaluation Scheme, which
recognises the work of students,                                           ‘We challenged the Welsh             enables employers to determine
who came forward to work on                                                government to show the whole         which pay band a post should
the front line. Private contractor                                         country that the actions of our      sit in and the pay progression
staff working in the NHS are also                                          NHS Wales workforce is much          arrangements. It ensures staff
included in the same award.                                                appreciated, not just through        have the appropriate knowledge
   The bonus means staff on the      ‘Staff have been                      applause but in action by            and skills to carry out their roles.
basic rate of tax will receive a                                           committing to give a “Wales             There has not yet been an
payment of approximately £500        courageous in                         bonus” to NHS staff.                 announcement on NHS pay rates
after deductions.                    tackling the virus’                      ‘Staff have continued to be       for 2021/22. The Secretary of
   The move comes after                                                    courageous in their efforts in       State for Health and Social Care
significant lobbying from all of     Kevin Tucker                          tackling the virus and supporting    issued a remit to the NHS Pay
the 14 trade unions representing                                           Covid patients. This has been        Review Body on 18 December
NHS staff across Wales,              unions challenged Vaughan             delivered against a backdrop of      outlining his expectation that the
including the SoR.                   Gething, Member of the Senedd         staffing shortfalls, with unfilled   report would be completed by
   In January, with the national     for Cardiff South and Pennard.        vacant posts across all job roles    May 2021. The government will
government in Westminster still      The call was for a significant and    placing enormous pressure on         make its announcement on pay
failing to seriously engage, Welsh   early pay rise, combined with a       the NHS workforce.’                  following the report’s publication.

sor.org                                                                                                                                MAY 2021
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
6

Radiography census highlights staff
bravery amid workforce shortages
BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2020
and January 2021, the College                                                Census facts and figures
of Radiographers carried out
                                                                              • The average number of diagnostic radiography
a census of the diagnostic
                                                                                establishment staff by whole-time equivalent (WTE) per
radiography workforce in the UK.
                                                                                respondent is 109.1.
    The objectives were to establish
the size, structure, nature and                                               • Of the 62 respondents, 57 (92%) report vacant posts in the
vacancy rate of the workforce as                                                diagnostic radiography workforce.
part of an annual survey to inform
future policy development.                                                    • The average current UK vacancy rate across respondents was
    Sixty-five providers of medical                                             10.5% at the census date of 1 November 2020.
imaging responded to an online                                                • The rate varies by UK country, with England at 10%, Northern
questionnaire. This was at a time                                               Ireland at 7.1% and Scotland at 8%. No responses were
when imaging services were                                                      received from providers in Wales this year.
making inroads into the backlog
                                                                              • The average three-month vacancy rate across all respondents
of imaging referrals from the
                                                                                is 6.6%.
first wave of the pandemic and
were facing the prospect of a
                                       ‘I would personally                    • On average, respondents in NHS England report that 1.7 posts
second surge.                          like to thank all                        are apprenticeships (by headcount).
    SCoR President Chris Kalinka
said the pandemic had highlighted
                                       members of the                         • By headcount, 12% of practitioners at the respondents’
                                                                                organisations are in advanced practice.
the vital role that imaging services   radiographic
play in healthcare services and the
need for a well resourced and well
                                       workforce                           alluding to the physical and mental   workforce for your bravery, care,
balanced imaging workforce.            for your bravery,                   impact on staff.                      strength, professionalism and
    He said: ‘A few respondents                                               ‘Once again, we would like to      stoicism during the ongoing
took the opportunity to comment
                                       care, strength,                     thank our service managers for        pandemic.’
on the increased workload and          professionalism                     submitting figures for the 2020
impact from Covid-19 on services                                           diagnostic workforce census.          To download the full report,
and staff, expressing praise for
                                       and stoicism’                       I would personally like to thank      Diagnostic Radiography Workforce
their responsiveness but also          Chris Kalinka                       all members of the radiographic       UK Census 2020, visit www.sor.org

SoR officer tackles ultrasound row on Radio 4                                                                        Save the date
GILL HARRISON, SoR                     the equally important issues for
professional officer for
                                                                                                                    The National
                                       sonographers, including:
ultrasound, has spoken on               • Risk to other patients, such
BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour
about the #butnotmaternity
                                             as cancer patients.
                                        • Preparing the patient for the
                                                                                                                    Conference
campaigners’ demands that                    scan and cleaning the room                                            for Radiology
partners be allowed into                     after each patient.
obstetric scans.                        • Focusing on the ultrasound                                               Managers 2021
   During the interview, Gill spoke          to report any finding
about the many clinical demands              accurately, which could
and poor physical conditions                 have life-changing effects.
                                                                                                                         11-13 May
                                                                           Gill Harrison
sonographers have to deal               • The health of sonographers
with while conducting complex                and their families and how    Covid-19 as well as abuse from               6pm-8.15pm
examinations under Covid-19                  contracting Covid could       angry partners in hospitals and
restrictions.                                affect them.                  on social media.
   She acknowledged the                   The invitation to speak on                                                   To register your
importance of having partners          Woman’s Hour followed months        You can listen to Gill’s interview           interest, visit
and support people present,            of controversy and increasingly     on the BBC website. Search for the
and the efforts being made to          low morale among sonographers       21 March edition of Woman’s Hour          sor.org/news
achieve that, but made clear           facing the daily impact of          and listen from 30 minutes in.

MAY 2021                                                                                                                                  sor.org
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
7

Revealing the world of radiography
Radiography students create a virtual careers fair to promote the profession at its best

                                                                                                                                                       All images Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
  Ismat Khan (centre) with students from the University of Cumbria

RADIOGRAPHY students have
provided a unique insight to
the world of medical imaging
by creating a virtual careers
workshop for prospective recruits.
   Inside Out is an outreach
project to raise the profile of
diagnostic radiography, led
by Ismat Khan, a third-year
diagnostic radiography student at         Chest X-ray demonstration            Neve Johnson and Erin Wilson (L-R)   Shaheeen Cassamoai and
the University of Cumbria.                                                                                          Rebecca Dryland (L-R)
   Ismat came up with the idea
early last year after winning a           are experiencing a virtual careers   different aspects of diagnostic      just so much in this role,’ she
place on the Student Leadership           fair. When the website goes live     radiography, discussing their own    explained.
Programme, known as the                   we will send it out to schools and   student journeys into the degree        Ismat said her clinical tutor,
#150leaders scheme, run by the            also plan some actual in-person      and their progression since          Thomas Welton, and her
Council of Deans of Health.               sessions at the university.’         embarking on the course.             leadership coach, SoR officer Gill
   The project went through                  In partnership with the                                                Harrison, had been instrumental
several format changes over the           Lancashire Teaching Hospitals        Variety of work                      in enabling her to complete the
year due to Covid-19 restrictions,        Blended Learning Team, Ismat         Ismat’s aim was to show all          project during the pandemic.
finally coming to fruition in March       led and directed the filming day     aspects of radiography from the         ‘I could not have done it without
as a series of filmed workshop-           with Catherine Lamoon, the           inside out and to raise awareness    them,’ she said. ‘Now I would like
like sessions that will now be            trust’s medical photographer/        of the huge variety of work within   to make it a national resource that
collated as an online module.             videographer.                        the profession.                      is shared with other universities.
   Ismat said: ‘Hopefully it will all        They worked with three groups        ‘There is so much evolution       I’d like it to be something that the
come together like an e-learning          of up to four student volunteers,    going on and no limit to what you    next students coming through can
module, which will feel as if you         who were filmed presenting           can do. It’s so exciting, there’s    take forward.’

sor.org                                                                                                                                    MAY 2021
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
8

New pressure to prioritise good ventilation
FOLLOWING THE government’s              provided in cramped, airless,                All health and safety reps
latest coronavirus slogan ‘Hands,       windowless rooms.’                        are encouraged to raise the            HSE examples of
face, space and fresh air’,                Ian continued: ‘It has been a          HSE report at trust and board          good practice
the SoR and other unions are            long-running and inconvenient             consultation level to make sure
pressing NHS trusts and boards          truth for trusts. Some are                the issue is recognised as the      • Maxillofacial department in
to do more to make sure these           now acting and we’re seeing               priority it needs to be.              the outpatient department
principles apply in workplaces at       encouraging signs of progress                                                   engaged a ventilation
the Covid-19 frontline.                 but we are also hearing reports           What the HSE says                     contractor to assess air
   A recent Health and Safety           of others still trying to avoid their     The HSE report makes a                changes in each treatment
Executive (HSE) inspection found        responsibilities to staff                 number of recommendations             room. It implemented a
serious problems and made               and patients.                             for where good practice could         system to ensure rooms with
recommendations that trusts and                                                   be improved, including a              the greatest number of air
boards should be prioritising.                                                    particular focus on ventilation.      changes were used for AGPs
   In particular, the HSE’s website
                                        ‘There should                             The importance of good                because their clearance time
states: ‘The priority for your          be no excuse or                           ventilation in the workplace was      was shorter.
risk assessment is to identify                                                    clearly highlighted in the HSE’s
areas of your workplace that are
                                        hiding place for                          inspections (see box).              • Modifications carried out to a
usually occupied and are poorly         employers who                                Examples where improvement         ventilation system to increase
ventilated. You should prioritise                                                 was required included:                airflow in theatres and ICU.
those areas for improvement
                                        refuse to address                         • Ventilation not being
to reduce the risk of aerosol           this problem’                             considered when the risk            • Ventilation checked regularly
transmission.’                          Ian Cloke                                 assessment was carried out.           including velocity, dilution and
   Ian Cloke, SoR national health                                                 • A room repurposed as a rest         dwell times.
and safety officer, said the new                                                  facility without windows or other
government advice applied                  ‘Any employer arguing the              means of ventilation.               • Survey of all mechanically
everywhere, including – and             government’s advice is aimed              • Non-clinical rooms identified       ventilated wards to identify
especially – in workplaces.             at households needs to accept             with no forced/mechanical             any issues and rebalance the
   ‘Long before Covid, our health       the time for excuses is over. One         ventilation and windows secured       ventilation systems.
and safety reps were raising            of the positives from Covid-19            shut.
concerns about poor ventilation,’       has to be good ventilation being          • Areas where AGPs were             • Management regularly
he said. ‘In old buildings this can     given the priority it deserves.           carried out where the clearance       communicated the need to
be a real problem but it’s also         After the HSE report there should         time was not available.               open windows to introduce
happening in so-called hi-tech          be no excuse or hiding place for          • Not all opportunities to            fresh air into areas without
newer hospitals, where many             employers who refuse to address           open doors and windows                mechanical ventilation.
screening services are being            the problem.’                             being taken.

RadTalk podcast promotes therapeutic radiography
NAMAN JULKA-ANDERSON and Jodie                      just taking a step back and reviewing
Thompson, two therapeutic radiographers,            different aspects of our profession helps
set up the RadTalk: Making Waves podcast            remind you of what you can achieve
to create conversation and share views on           as a therapeutic radiographer and as a
key issues. Launched in November 2019,              healthcare professional.’
topics have so far included improving                  Next steps include expanding to other
patient-centred care, raising awareness of          platforms such as YouTube, adding
the profession and CPD.                             visuals and subtitles and monetising
   Naman said: ‘The podcast was something           the content to allow for ‘investment into
we thought could be accessible to whoever           the podcast and charitable causes in                                                     Jodie Thompson
wanted to learn more about therapeutic              therapeutic radiography’.
radiography. Promoting the profession was a            Naman is an ambassador for charities
key part of our idea.’                              Action Radiotherapy and 5K Your Way.
   The bulk of the listeners are from the UK,
US, Canada and Australia, and one of the            You can catch up on their latest podcasts
benefits has been the networking.                   by searching for RadTalk: Making Waves at
   ‘Meeting professionals within radiotherapy       souncloud.com. Follow the team on
to discuss exciting work and ideas has              Twitter @radtalkMW and Instagram at                                     Naman
been motivating,’ said Naman. ‘Sometimes            radtalkmakingwaves                                                      Julka-Anderson

MAY 2021                                                                                                                                         sor.org
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
9

A big welcome to three new
members of the SoR team
The Society of Radiographers is pleased to announce the
appointment of three officers, who took up their roles in April

  Caroline Hurley                                Rhys Martin                                         Nichola Jamison
  National officer for Wales                     Health and safety policy officer                    Students and new
  Caroline Hurley joins as one of our national   Rhys Martin, our new health and safety              professionals officer
  officers for Wales in a job-share position     policy officer, comes to the SoR from               Nichola Jamison becomes students and
  with Kevin Tucker. Of her background,          Unison, where he was a regional organiser.          new professionals officer after holding the
  Caroline says: ‘I graduated from Cardiff       Before Unison, Rhys spent seven-and-a-              role of interim student support officer since
  School of Medicine with a BSc (Hons)           half years at the National Education Union          last August. A therapeutic radiographer,
  in diagnostic radiography and imaging          (formerly The Association of Teachers and           Nichola is also the immediate past
  in June 2004. On graduating, I worked          Lecturers) as an organiser. In that role he         chairperson of the SoR UK Student
  at Morriston Hospital in Swansea for           helped set up the first eastern regional            Representative Forum and an alumna of
  just under two years before travelling to      organising team for ATL and undertook               the Council of Deans of Health student
  Gibraltar and working as a radiographer at     rep training, recruitment, campaigns, rep           leadership programme.
  St Bernard’s Hospital for 18 months.           mentoring and branch support.                          Before graduating from Ulster University
     ‘I returned to Wales and worked as                                                              in 2020, she served as academic
  a locum for four months at Llandough                                                               representative for the School of Health
  Hospital in Cardiff before taking a full-
                                                 ‘I’ve heard great things                            Sciences and was President/founder of
  time role at Morriston Hospital as a senior    and was impressed with                              Ulster University Radiography Society.
  radiographer, where I continue to work                                                             Outside university, Nichola contributed to
  today. I have experience in plain film,
                                                 the vision for the union’                           the drafting of the NI Cancer Strategy and
  nuclear medicine, CT, DSA and, most               The first part of his career was as a            was also a member of the Northern Ireland
  recently, cardiac radiography.                 civil servant, where Rhys was elected               Healthcare Leadership Forum.
     ‘I have been a local SoR industrial         as a lead health and safety rep for the
  relations representative for almost seven      Public and Commercial Services Union                She believes strongly in
  years and have attended the level 1 and        (PCS) covering all London courts. He
  2 reps courses organised by the SoR            was subsequently elected to the group               improving engagement
  and the employment law away day. I am          executive committee of the PCS.                     and wellbeing for students
  passionate about equality and fairness in         Rhys says: ‘I’m thrilled and thankful to
  the workplace and hope to continue being       be given the opportunity to join the Society            Nichola’s parents, professional foster
  an advocate for this in my new role.           of Radiographers as health and safety               carers, instilled a passion in her for
     ‘I am a fluent Welsh speaker, having        policy officer. I’ve heard many great things        pastoral care. She is a mental health
  been raised in a bilingual household in        about the union, its staff and members and          first-aider and threads this training through
  a small welsh-speaking village outside         was impressed with vision for the union             each aspect of her practice.
  Swansea. I live with my husband and two        going forward. I look forward to focusing               Nichola believes strongly in improving
  dogs in South Wales.’                          on my union passion of health and safety.           engagement, experience and wellbeing for
                                                    ‘I am also looking foward to supporting          the student workforce, while encouraging
  ‘I am passionate about                         our representatives to ensure workplaces            leadership in all she meets.
                                                 are safe, providing training in the face of             When not at work, she can usually be
  equality and fairness                          new legislation and creating campaigns              found in her local Mourne Mountains in
  in the workplace’                              that resonate with our membership.’                 County Down with her three children.

                                                                 All three positions sit within our Trade Union and Industrial Relations (TUIR) team.

sor.org                                                                                                                                 MAY 2021
Synergy News - Society of Radiographers
10

Groundbreaking CPD module
makes MRI training accessible
A PIONEERING postgraduate                Dr Stuart Mackay, the                                    ‘There will be a                       these modules aim to arm
CPD module is aiming to turn          university’s senior lecturer and                                                                   radiographers new to cross-
radiographers with minimal            head of programme (diagnostic                               massive need for                       sectional imaging with the skills
knowledge of MRI into valuable        radiography), said the course                               more radiographers                     needed for a first post.’
members of the team in just           had resulted from a new region-                                                                      The module is worth 30 CPD
15 weeks.                             wide approach to the educational                            with higher-level                      credits and participants must be
    The University of Liverpool       needs of the workforce.                                     CT and MRI skills’                     able to spend the equivalent of
course is a mix of online and            ‘We realised the workforce of                                                                   10 weeks in a designated MRI
face-to-face learning designed to     the next five to 10 years will need                         Dr Stuart Mackay                       department.
fit around the busy working lives     to be better equipped in CT and                                                                      The theory is delivered in
of radiographers. A similar course    MRI due to workforce changes                                develop the courses in a way that      an initial three-day block at the
in CT is planned for 2022.            and strategic needs. CT and MRI                             responded to needs of radiology        university, followed by three
    The first module starts in        scanning is going to increase and                           services.                              hours a week of online teaching
September, taking participants        there will be a massive need for                               She said: ‘As CT and MRI            sessions, both live and recorded.
through MRI safety, physics,          more radiographers with higher-                             are not taught in depth at
scanner technology, anatomy           level CT and MRI skills than they                           undergraduate level – and training     To find out more about MRI and CT
and pathology, commonly               currently have,’ he said.                                   new staff cross-sectional imaging      modules, email helen.anderson@
encountered clinical techniques,         Clinical lead radiographer                               in the clinical environment from       liverpool.ac.uk or s.mackay@
workflow in an MRI department         Helen Anderson was seconded                                 scratch can be very challenging        liverpool.ac.uk. To apply, email
and caring for patients.              to the team in February to help                             due to clinical pressures –            allans@liverpool.ac.uk

Radiographers needed for                                                                          Therapeutic radiographer wins
breast screening recovery                                                                         doctoral research fellowship
                                                                                                  THERAPEUTIC radiographer
                                                                                                  Matt Beasley has been awarded
                                                                                                  a Clinical Doctoral Research
                                                                                                  Fellowship from Health Education
                                                                      Choja/E+/via Getty Images

                                                                                                  England/National Institute of
                                                                                                  Health Research (HEE/NIHR).
                                                                                                      The fellowship will provide him
                                                                                                  with the funding to undertake a
                                                                                                  PhD by research while continuing
                                                                                                  to develop his professional
                                                                                                  and clinical practice at Leeds
                                                                                                  Cancer Centre.                         Matt Beasley
THE NHS Breast Screening              hours to support the recovery of                                Starting in July, Matt will work
Programme was hit hard by             services in London.                                         closely with the clinical and          2015. He gained an HEE/NIHR
the Covid-19 pandemic, with              In addition to competitive pay                           radiotherapy research teams at         Bridging Award in 2019, which
the additional safety measures        rates, staff will be supported                              the centre and the University of       enables non-medics to build on
reducing service capacity and         with accommodation and travel                               Leeds. He will address whether         previous academic training to
creating a backlog.                   costs if they live outside London.                          it is possible to increase the         develop a fellowship proposal.
   The London Breast Screening        The programme will also offer                               accuracy of liver stereotactic           Matt believes the bridging
Recovery Programme was                support to renew lapsed HCPC                                ablative body radiotherapy by          scheme was instrumental to
created to enable different areas     registrations.                                              improving the visualisation of         the success of his fellowship
to work collaboratively to develop                                                                normal and abnormal tissues            application in that it provided
and implement innovative ways of      To find out more, read the full                             in the upper-abdomen, using            funding for time, courses and
working to support the recovery.      story online at www.sor.org/                                imaging and motion management          patient and public involvement to
   The programme is keen to hear      news. To apply, complete the form                           techniques in ways clinically          support his proposal.
from members with training in         at https://forms.office.com/r/                              acceptable and practicable
radiography, experience in breast     yRcVAu6Fw9. To discuss in more                              to patients.                           For further information on the
screening or mammography, who         detail, email Yvonne Damanhuri at                               Matt completed his MSc in          HEE/NIHR awards, visit
are able to offer flexible or fixed   y.damanhuri1@nhs.net                                        radiotherapy and oncology in           www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr

MAY 2021                                                                                                                                                          sor.org
11

Introducing our RePAIR Champions
IN EARLY March, the Society of
Radiographers welcomed Nicky
Hutton and Mandy Tuckey as                                                                                           UK Council
RePAIR Champions on a
six-month secondment.                                                                                                vacancies:
   By working on this project,
funded by Health Education                                                                                           apply by 12 May
England (HEE), they are
playing a key role in mapping
and implementing the                                                                                                 SoR MEMBERS are advised
recommendations from the                                                                                             that the opportunity to apply to
Reducing Pre-registration                                                                                            become a regional representative
Attrition and Improving Retention                                                                                    to UK Council has arisen as the
(RePAIR) programme through                                                                                           following Council members will
the 11 England Operational           Nicky Hutton                            Mandy Tuckey                            complete their term of office
Delivery Networks.                                                                                                   on 9 July:
   Nicky works as a clinical
team leader and treatment            the relevance of the RePAIR             welcome Nicky and Mandy, who            •    Chris Kalinka for Wales
delivery advanced practitioner       findings to the new models of pre-      are both experienced therapeutic        •    Vas Nevrides for London
at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre       registration education and training     radiographers, to lead this             •    Ross McGhee for Scotland
in Liverpool. She is seconded to     being implemented in therapeutic        exciting project.’                      •    Tom Welton for North West
the Society on Wednesdays and        radiography, with reference to the         Most recently, Nicky and
Thursdays each week.                 innovation required as a result of      Mandy produced a survey for                All four are planning to stand
   Mandy is the programme lead       the impact of Covid-19.                 radiotherapy education and              for re-election. Nominations are
and admissions tutor for the BSc        Charlotte Beardmore, SCoR            clinical education leads to             sought for a three-year term,
(Hons) radiotherapy and oncology     director of professional policy,        understand what is important in         starting on 9 July, for the above
course at the University of the      said: ‘It is pleasing that the          their practice area in relation to      regions. To represent a region, you
West of England’s Faculty of         Society has received funding from       the 15 recommendations from the         must be from that region and your
Health and Life Sciences. She is     HEE to support this important           RePAIR project.                         membership must be up to date.
seconded to the Society every        work, which follows the national           They are now collating the              If you are a member from one
Thursday and Friday.                 RePAIR programme, funded                responses to help them inform           of the named regions and would
   They are responsible for          by HEE.                                 discussions with advocacy               like to apply, please contact the
identifying good practice, seeking      ‘The project offers an               groups, professional bodies and         executive secretary, Liz Robinson,
out opportunities, identifying       opportunity to learn and share          HEE, and will be publishing the         to request a nomination pack.
challenges and developing online     the good practice across                anonymised results soon.
resources together with our key      the radiotherapy networks in                                                    Please email lizr@sor.org or
stakeholders.                        order to support and grow the           If you have any questions about their   telephone 020 7740 7236. Completed
   In particular, Mandy and Nicky    expansion of the therapeutic            work, you can contact Nicky and         nomination forms must be returned
will be looking to understand        radiography workforce. We               Mandy at repair@sor.org                 by email by 12 May.

Research grants available       Have your say on a national
on the role of the radiographer NHS uniform for England
THE ROLE of the radiographer            Priority will be given to projects   AN NHS consultation is open             and use the buying power of the
in patient care is the theme of      that meet the theme but others          to gather views on a new                NHS by delivering cost savings’.
research grants now available        will be considered. The deadline        standardised national healthcare           UK Council representatives
from the International Society of    for applications is 30 July.            uniform for England.                    Tom Welton and Sue Webb were
Radiographers and Radiological       Decisions on the awarding of               The National Healthcare              involved in the NHS Supply Chain
Technologists (ISRRT).               funding will be announced by late       Uniform – Workforce Consultation        project meetings, taking part in an
   One-year and two-year grants      October.                                wants to know the benefits of           initial survey with results that fed
worth up to £1,500 a year are           The ISRRT represents more            a single uniform and the best           into the wider consultation.
offered for projects that help       than 65 member countries.               style and fit. Wales and Scotland          The consultation closes at
improve the standards of delivery                                            already have national uniforms.         5pm on 31 May.
and practice in either or both       To find out more and download an           The new uniform has been
medical imaging and therapeutic      application form, visit the ISRRT       proposed by NHS Supply Chain            To complete the survey, visit
radiography.                         website at www.isrrt.org/guidlines      ‘to offer a strong national identity    bit.ly/nhsuniform

sor.org                                                                                                                                      MAY 2021
12

New imaging strategy launches in Northern Ireland
                                           FOLLOWING THE publication                sit on the board. She said its           sustained delivery of imaging
                                           of the Department of Health’s            formation was an important step          services.’
                                           Strategic Imaging Framework              towards ensuring that imaging               Leandre added: ‘I would hope
                                           in Northern Ireland, a Strategic         services are safe, effective and         as the SoR representative to
                                           Imaging Board has been                   sustainable in the long term.            be the voice for our members,
                                           set up to implement the 19                  ‘There is a considerable              ensuring that glass ceilings
                                           recommendations.                         requirement for both the                 are dismantled and that
                                              The strategic framework aims          transformation and rebuilding            radiographers in Northern Ireland
                                           to further modernise imaging             of services in line with the             are empowered to increase their
                                           services over the next 10 years          Delivering Together 2026                 skills and expertise.
                                           to ensure that Northern Ireland          agenda and following the                    ‘Radiographers are ready,
‘Radiographers                             continues to deliver high-quality        Covid-19 pandemic.                       willing and able to provide the
are ready, willing                         healthcare services and stays               ‘Advancing the skills of the          solutions to waiting lists and
                                           at the forefront of technological        workforce, introducing new ways          barriers to patient flow through the
and able to provide                        advances.                                of working and the integration           system. By being represented at
the solutions’                                The SoR’s national officer for        of new technologies and                  this strategic level, I hope they will
                                           Northern Ireland, Leandre Archer,        equipment will need to take              be given more opportunities to
Leandre Archer
                                           has welcomed an invitation to            centre stage to ensure the               showcase their unique potential.’

   Members’ pensions briefing: 31 March 2021

  The following is a briefing for all SoR members,      a choice of the benefits afforded in either the          In both these examples, early guidance,
  outlining the government’s proposed remedy for        2015 or CARE scheme for the period between           interpretation and provisional application of the
  the discrimination identified in the CARE NHS         1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022. This is              remedy are being sought to prevent further risk
  pension scheme as a result of the McCloud             known as the ‘remedy period’. The choice             of discrimination.
  judgment.                                             comes at the point of retirement.                       Anyone in this position is asked to email
                                                           This will be a single choice between taking       TUIR@sor.org, marking the email PENSION
  This advice will impact directly upon the             all of the benefits in one scheme or the other –     SCHEME REMEDY ISSUE. Please provide
  majority of SoR members.                              there will be no mixing or matching.                 your name, trust/board, contact details and a
                                                           From 1 April 2022, all future pension benefits    short explanation of the concern and any urgent
  It will also be of particularly immediate concern     will be based solely on the CARE scheme. All         timings and someone will contact you as soon
  to members (and their representatives) who:           past pension benefits accrued remain safe but        as possible to offer support.
                                                        future benefits will all be linked to the CARE
  • Are looking to retire imminently,                   scheme – with a choice for the period between        Covid-19 returners
  including those currently applying for ill-health     2015 and 2022.                                       Those who had retired and returned to the
  early retirement.                                                                                          NHS during Covid-19 saw some of the pension
  • Have recently returned to the NHS.                  Immediate complex cases                              scheme regulations relaxed to support a return
                                                        For most people, this will be a reasonably           during the crisis. These changes remain in
  The SoR is engaged with the 14 NHS unions,            clear process. However, because of the need          place but the unions have been told it remains
  and directly as part of the Scheme Advisory           to secure primary legislation to implement the       the intention that these relaxations will at some
  Board (SAB), in how these remedies are                remedy, it is not easily possible to apply the       point be removed.
  implemented and communicated. We expect               remedy immediately when someone is in the               However, we have no clear indication of when
  joint communications to be available as soon          process of retiring or has recently retired.         this is intended to happen. Any members in this
  as is practical – probably later this summer. We         The government currently estimates that           position, who would want to continue in service
  are currently planning how we can support this        some who have retired or are retiring at present     supporting radiography for longer than the
  roll-out. The delay is, in part, due to some of the   will not get to exercise this choice until October   pandemic, are also asked to contact the SoR
  ‘how to implement’ remedies not being clear or        2023 – therefore introducing additional              directly via TUIR@sor.org and marking their
  ready as yet. This briefing aims to provide as        elements of back payment and/or adjustment           emails PENSION RETURNEE SUPPORT.
  much clarity as possible at this point and            that will need to be calculated and explained in
  to alert those with particularly imminent             the choice exercise.
  concerns to contact the SoR.                             The position is especially complex for those
                                                        who have or are seeking ill-health early
  Remedy summary                                        retirement in the remedy period or where             Dean Rogers, director of industrial strategy
  The government has decided that all qualifying        their choice is especially guided by the             and member relations and member of the
  members of the pension scheme will have               impact upon dependents.                              NHS Pension Scheme Advisory Board

MAY 2021                                                                                                                                                sor.org
13

OPINION                                               Send your letters and articles to editorial@synergymagazine.co.uk

Radiography is a fascinating
and varied career. Enjoy the ride!
Experienced radiographers Emily Faircloth and Donna Holdcroft respond to
students’ concerns about their future career prospects

YOU’RE ENTERING a                     of working with others to share         Promotion                                          adolescent mental health services
profession with wide-ranging          best practice, write online learning    I developed public-speaking                        (CAMHS). This is a complex area
possibilities. Our life and work      content and research the role of        and presentation skills through                    and it has also led me to explore
often take us in unexpected           radiographers in care, quality,         speaking about radiography                         the psychological impact of trauma
directions. For me, having a career   clinical settings and forensic          practice at training events and                    and moral injury on radiographers.
plan was a bit like having a birth    investigation.                          conferences.                                          My advice is simple, keep
plan before the arrival of my                                                                                                    doing what you’re doing: asking
daughter: great to have but, when     Forensic imaging                        Medico-legal casework                              questions, considering your
the time came, what happened          Six months after qualification, I       From my experience as a forensic                   options. Be led by what you’re
looked nothing like the plan!         was asked to attend the mortuary        radiographer, I was invited by                     inspired by and you’ll discover
   Diagnostic radiography as a        to X-ray an unknown body. At that       the SCoR to develop report                         your own contribution as a
career suits the both creative        time, forensic radiography didn’t       writing and courtroom skills as an                 radiographer. As you begin a
and analytically minded. I remain     exist as a specialty. I was fortunate   expert witness.                                    remarkable career, be sure to
amazed at both the technical or       to be involved in the development                                                          enjoy the ride.
clinical developments and the art     of this now internationally             Commissioning
of diagnostic imaging.                recognised field and to witness to      My role now involves the oversight                 Emily Faircloth, CAMHS
   While some of the ‘politics’       the growing value of diagnostic         and transformation of regional                     programme manager, South
and misguided perceptions of the      imaging in forensic investigations,     health and care services,                          East region. Specialised
profession have, at times, been a     such as reuniting a family with the     previously in mental health crisis                 Commissioning, NHS England
frustration, they too are valuable    unidentified deceased.                  and currently in children’s and                    and NHS Improvement
lessons in working collaboratively
to deliver a high-quality service.
   As healthcare professionals
we have experienced many                                                         Don’t be deterred – this is an amazing career
changes. My career has flowed                                                    I would like to comment on the article by first-year student Chris
in interesting directions, taking                                                Gibson in last month’s Synergy News (pictured), who was told
me across the UK and the                                                         that a radiography career would be ‘boring’. I have heard similar
world, working with extraordinary                                                stories from my students and it makes me so sad.
people, within and outside of the                                                   I have had an amazing career as a radiographer with so many
radiology department and hospital                                                wonderful experiences. I have had the opportunity to work in the
environment. It has included:                                                    NHS and the private sector, in the medical devices industry and
                                                                                 now academia. I have laughed, cried, worked with elite athletes
Clinical practice                                                                and film stars, travelled the world with expenses paid and even
Early on I chose to specialise in                                                starred in a film as a sonographer!
trauma and dental radiography                                                       I fear these comments reflect low morale due to pay and
after an impulsive decision to                                                   conditions. However, I would like to reassure all students that
apply for a job at the Royal                                                     they have chosen an amazing career with many pathways to                                                                                         Date: 18.Mar
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               2021 16:15:1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4

London Hospital, a specialist            Donna Holdcroft                         follow. Keep positive and look forward to the day                                                                                                                                                                                      11

trauma/training site. This turned                                                you qualify – the world will be your oyster.          I refuse to acce
                                                                                                                                       career will be
                                                                                                                                                                Share your
                                                                                                                                                        pt a radiography
                                                                                                                                                                           views

                                                                                                                                                      ‘boring’                                                                                                                                                 ‘Thank you for

out to be one of my best                                                            I don’t regret a single day of my working life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               speaking about
                                                                                                                                                                   First-year student                                                                                                                         these issues –
                                                                                                                                                                                      Chris Gibson
                                                                                                                                                                   diagnostic radiograp              responds to the                                                                                          it takes courage’
                                                                                                                                                                                        hy is just doing               charge that
                                                                                                                                                                                                         ‘a lot of routine                                                                                      Sonographer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           scans’                                                                                                   Anna Madar’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                article, ‘We cannot
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          allow
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                obstetric ultrasound
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               become entertainment

                                                                                 and would recommend radiography to anyone.
                                                                                                                                                                   ‘YOU WILL

decisions, with many happy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (Synergy News,                ’
                                                                                                                                                                                    get bored doing
                                                                                                                                                                   this.’ Six words                                                                                                                                                  March),
                                                                                                                                                                                        that have                                                                                                             drew huge support
                                                                                                                                                                  stuck with me                                                                           each time? This                                                                from
                                                                                                                                                                                      since my first                                                                           is especially                  colleagues on
                                                                                                                                                                  placement block.                                                                                                                                                 social media.
                                                                                                                                                                                          They were                                                      true in my experience                                These are a few
                                                                                                                                                                  said to me by                                                                          I’ve seen some               – already                                      of the
                                                                                                                                                                                     a radiographer                                                                          very                            comments she
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   received.
                                                                                                                                                                 when we were
                                                                                                                                                                                     discussing the                                                      use of the equipmentintuitive
                                                                                                                                                                 day-to-day of                                                                          images required              to get the
                                                                                                                                                                                   the job. Their                                                                            without putting                ‘Well done Anna.
                                                                                                                                                                 point was that                                                                         a patient in undue                                                           Well written
                                                                                                                                                                                    the job boils                                                                                                           piece. In my 18
                                                                                                                                                                down to a lot                                                                                                    discomfort                                        years as a
                                                                                                                                                                                   of routine scans.                                                    or stress. Literally,                              sonographer I

memories and invaluable lessons.
                                                                                                                                                                   Their meaning                                                                                                 working                                       have never
                                                                                                                                                                                       was that once                                                   creatively around                                   seen morale so
                                                                                                                                                               I have passed                                                                                                  the patient                                         low.’
                                                                                                                                                                                   the point of                                                        where needed.
                                                                                                                                                               being a student                                                                            Second, one                                     ‘It’s
                                                                                                                                                                                     radiographer                                                                         thing                                 a minefield… Our
                                                                                                                                                              am in my first
                                                                                                                                                                                  year) then doing
                                                                                                                                                                                                       (I                                             many radiographer that                             team is working
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         obs
                                                                                                                                                              the same type                                                                                                   s have                                             incredibly
                                                                                                                                                                                   of scans for                                                       talked to me                                       hard to find alternative
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      about is the
                                                                                                                                                              patients, day                                                                          breadth of the                                     rooms but are                    waiting
                                                                                                                                                                                in and day out,                                                                         job. Not                                             still being
                                                                                                                                                             would bore me,
                                                                                                                                                                                    and I would find                                                 the patient interaction just                       harangued by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            patients
                                                                                                                                                             the job dull and
                                                                                                                                                                                    unstimulating                                                    modalities available but the                      and partners.’

                                                                                 Donna Holdcroft, lecturer in diagnostic
                                                                                                                                                                I can’t remember                     .                                                                          to work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    in. How different
                                                                                                                                                                                        my                                                                                is CT to MRI
                                                                                                                                                            response, yet                                                                           to ultrasound?                                    ‘Very well written
                                                                                                                                                                               those words                                                                             Then there are
                                                                                                                                                           have stayed rattling                                                                    the research                                                                 and 100%
                                                                                                                                                                                       around my                                                                    opportunities                     accurate in my
                                                                                                                                                           brain. Will I be
                                                                                                                                                                                bored in the                 ‘Words have power                     push the field
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     forward. Working
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       to                                   opinion!’
                                                                                                                                                           of a diagnostic                       life                                              on audits or
                                                                                                                                                          Am I doing the
                                                                                                                                                                                 radiographer
                                                                                                                                                                                                 ?           and these have                                        researching new
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   methods or trialling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ‘It is time this
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         was out in the
                                                                                                                                                                                right course                                                                                                         open and up
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        for discussion.
                                                                                                                                                          me? Will it all
                                                                                                                                                                             change once
                                                                                                                                                                                                for         shaken me a                           equipment.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            some new
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I feel complete
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           empathy for
                                                                                                                                                          completed the                        I’ve
                                                                                                                                                                              course?                       bit, so I’m going                     Range of skills
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    the sonographer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             expressing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              to

                                                                                 radiography, School of Allied Health
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   her distress. Thank

Teaching and learning
                                                                                                                                                         Irrational worries                                 disprove them!’                      All of that is
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 without considering               speaking of these
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                you for
                                                                                                                                                           At my low ebb,                                                                        the ‘extras’, such                                                           issues,
                                                                                                                                                                              when I am                                                                                as getting                 it takes courage.’
                                                                                                                                                          tired and fried                                   Chris Gibson
                                                                                                                                                                            from lectures,                                                      involved in the
                                                                                                                                                          assignments                                                                                               SoR or with
                                                                                                                                                                          and general                                                           universities to                                  ‘Well done Anna,
                                                                                                                                                         ‘stuff’, I worry               life                                                                      help students                                             good to have
                                                                                                                                                                           about                                                                progress, being                                  you teaching the
                                                                                                                                                         irrational – nothing this. It’s                                                       giving skills seminars
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     a mentor or
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 of the future for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          sonographers
                                                                                                                                                                                 in what I                                                                                  to help                                     us.’
                                                                                                                                                        have been doing                                 with ‘Hello my                         people like me
                                                                                                                                                                               so far has                                 name is…’ knows                          to become
                                                                                                                                                        left a shred of                                 this. So, to tell                      better at positioning.                           ‘Beautifully put
                                                                                                                                                                          doubt that my                                   a first-year                                                                                 by a previous

                                                                                 Professions, Keele University
                                                                                                                                                        change in career                               student that they

As a lecturer and practice
                                                                                                                                                                              from science                                   will be bored        So yes, those                                colleague about
                                                                                                                                                       teaching was                                                                                                words bothered                                       ultrasound
                                                                                                                                                                        the right move.                in their chosen                        me but justifiably                                and sonographers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          career is, to                             and, while I                                          ! Couldn’t
                                                                                                                                                       However, words                                  a bit careless.                   me, understand where
                                                                                                                                                                            have power                                                                                                         agree more with
                                                                                                                                                       and these have                                                                                                they come                                          her fears
                                                                                                                                                                           shaken me a                   It also flies against               from, I disagree.                                for the profession
                                                                                                                                                      bit, so I’m going                                                           the                             Like all jobs in                                       moving
                                                                                                                                                                                                      idea of healthcare                    healthcare, there                                 forwards.’
                                                                                                                                                                            to disprove                                      being                                 may be routine
                                                                                                                                                      them for my                                     patient-centre                        moments in radiography
                                                                                                                                                                      own wellbeing!                                   d and all the
                                                                                                                                                         First, let’s deal                           study of dealing                       can never be                    but it
                                                                                                                                                                            with the fact                                 with patients’                      called boring.                                            Last month’s
                                                                                                                                                     that all healthcare                             psychosocial
                                                                                                                                                                             workers                                  needs, which                                                                                    opinion
                                                                                                                                                    know the power                                   spent a semester                 I’ve    Chris Gibson                                                           writer
                                                                                                                                                                          of words and                                     reading up                       is a first-year

educator, I discovered the value
                                                                                                                                                    how they can                                    on. How can                               diagnostic radiography                                                 Anna Madar,
                                                                                                                                                                      affect someone.                                the procedure
                                                                                                                                                    Anyone who                                      boring if you                     be      at Canterbury            student                                       clinical
                                                                                                                                                                     has met a patient                               are meeting and                         Christ Church                                          specialist
                                                                                                                                                                                                    dealing with                             University and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    a new individual                         a member of                                            sonographer
                                                                                                                                                    sor.org                                                                                  the SoR Student
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Forum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    and lecturer

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   APRIL 2021

sor.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                         MAY 2021
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