Radiographers welcome Health Partnership Forum

Published: 24 August 2016 SoR | CoR

The trades union for clinical imaging and radiotherapy professionals has spoken out in support of the announcement to establish a Health Partnership Forum.

Leandre Archer, Northern Ireland national officer for the Society and College of Radiographers, said, “We are delighted that health minister Michelle O'Neill says she wants effective partnership working.

“With pay rates still lower than for health professionals elsewhere in the United Kingdom, establishment of the forum has been an objective of the Society and other health unions in Northern Ireland. It is an integral part of our strategy to achieve fairness for our members.”

A key role of the forum will be to discuss and implement the recently published report by Professor Rafael Bengoa. It is expected that the report’s findings will have far reaching consequences for the resourcing and delivery of health and social care services.

“It is essential that there is full engagement with the Society of Radiographers and the other unions representing front line staff,” Leandre Archer said.

“This announcement is definitely a much needed step in the right direction."

The minister has said that she will chair the first meeting of the forum, which is expected to convene by early October.