Members of the SoR joined together for day one of the Annual Delegates Conference (ADC), attending the prestigious opening of the event on Tuesday 29 April at Novotel London West in Hammersmith, London.
ADC is a yearly SoR conference that allows members to raise subjects for debate that will influence the SoR UK Council’s priorities, bringing together almost 400 members including regional representatives, regional and national officers and UK Council. It affords members an opportunity to put forward motions for consideration by delegates, with carried motions being actioned over the following year by the Council.
Each Regional Committee and National Council sends a delegation to ADC. Delegates are elected within the constituency. The SoR equality network Equalise and the UK Council of the Society of Radiographers may also submit motions for debate.
Student members are welcome to join the delegation.
'A united force to improve the world'
After a stirring introduction from SoRPresident Tom Welton, attendees were treated to a report from the chair of the Delegates Conference Committee, an update on membership and engagement and a progress report from motions passed at ADC 2024.
Mr Welton said: “Whether this is your first ADC or your 20th ADC, everyone in this room, everyone joining online, and every member of the SoR, has the opportunity to become one. A united force to improve the world of radiography around us.
“We must protect the very concept of our identity and what so many have pushed to achieve. One thing I know about my fellow workers is that we don’t shy away from change. Embracing a new age of radiography and radiotherapy is what we are used to. It is ok to not have all the answers right now, and it's okay to not all agree but through becoming one, we will do what is right for our patients.”
On Monday 27 April, the SoR’s Annual Student Conference took place in the same venue ahead of the start of ADC, as student members got an opportunity to hear about the work ongoing to support them.
ADC attendees were then able to register, and members were able to take part in fringe sessions and learn more about important topics in the profession, such as empowering radiography support workers. Monday evening then saw the first of the ADC celebrations, with a buffet dinner followed by the customary presidential team quiz.
Then on Tuesday 28 April, ADC got underway with the first day of motions.
Motions for consideration
A record 91 motions were put forward at ADC this year, covering topics from across the spectrum of radiography – indeed, so many that the DCC reduced the amount of time given to motion forwarders to argue their motion from five minutes to three.
On day one, 70 motions were put forward for consideration by assembled delegates.
Motions on day one included a call for the UK government to permit male radiographers to conduct breast screening examinations, and for UK Council to review if gender should play a role in determining Mammography careers, both of which were carried.
Other motions included a call for the introduction of a “newly qualified” status for healthcare professionals, including radiographers, in order to prevent them from moving to the private sector (carried), a call for the funding of routine cardiac screening for high-risk people under the age of 35 (carried), and improving the integration and support of international radiographers in the UK (carried).
'We could be doing more as a profession'
Martin Okoro, Diagnostic Radiographer at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said: “I found some of the motions to be really gripping, and hit close to home. I resonate a lot with enhancing the practice of foreign radiographers coming into UK practice – learning about those hardships made me realise we could be doing more as a profession to make the transition a bit more smooth.
“Initially, it was a bit overwhelming – there’s a lot of information. But with the help of my delegate leads, it’s made the process smoother, and they’ve explained everything really well. I would say to everyone just come along for the sessions. It’s really important for students and registered radiographers get involved as much as possible – there’s a lot of information that you can use to better yourself as a professional and as a student!”
This year, 381 radiographers and students registered for in-person attendance, while 152 made an online appearance.
ADC 2025 continues with the remaining motions on Wednesday 30 April. Find out more about the Annual Delegates Conference 2025 online here.
(Image: ADC 2025, by Eva Slusarek)