Staff welfare, sustainability and diversity were among the priorities at the Society of Radiographers Annual Delegates Conference 2024 during the first day of motions.
Taking place at the Queens Hotel in Leeds from 15-17 April, the SoR’s Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) gives members the opportunity to steer the direction of the Society in the coming years.
On Tuesday 16 April, delegates were given the opportunity to debate and vote on almost 50 motions, on topics ranging from protection of radiographers in the workplace, to promotion of radiography to the wider world and ways to improve diversity and inclusion within the profession.
Delegates were given the opportunity to table motions ahead of the meeting and attendees could then debate and vote on each proposal.
Each motion that was carried can now be taken to the SoR’s UK Council to be actioned in future.
Dave Pilborough, SoR President, said: “This event shapes the policy of the Society going forwards. We are a membership organisation at our heart.
“It’s important to our wider membership that they are represented by their delegates and that their opinions are taken into account.”
Kickstarting the morning
Starting at 9.30am on Tuesday, the meeting was opened by chair Katie Thompson, followed by an address from SoR President Mr Pilborough.
After updates on SoR’s member engagement, the meeting then moved to motions.
In the morning session, a total of 28 motions were heard.
The opening motion was tabled by delegates from the Scotland region, and related to a recent 2016 survey on bullying during student work placements. It called on UK Council to repeat the student bullying survey and report back its findings to members. The motion was carried unanimously.
There was also a debate around whether SoR membership should be free for students.
Discussion on this topic covered the strain students face due to the cost of living crisis and how research from other organisations had shown that free membership actually decreased student engagement. The motion was not carried, following a vote of 105 votes for and 117 votes against.
On diversity, a motion tabled by delegates from the SoR’s Equalise group called on the SoR to conduct research to identify barriers for black and ethnic minority members in radiography, and to implement training programmes for industrial relations reps to help them identify racist behaviour. This motion was carried.
Afternoon session
Following lunch, proceedings continued with a session on AI from Dr Tracy O’Regan, the SoR’s professional officer for clinical imaging and research, and Huw Shurmer, strategic and government relations manager for Fujifilm Healthcare UK.
The conference then returned to the motions, starting with a call for protected Continuing Professional Development time and budget, which was unanimously supported by the delegates.
Also in the afternoon, the conference debated a motion calling for NHS workers to be given access to NHS dental appointments. Opponents of this motion argued that NHS workers should not be placed ahead of vulnerable and low income people who also need access to NHS dental care. The motion was not carried.
Later in the day, motions turned to topics including the promotion of DXA scanning in helping to diagnose osteoporosis, and discussions around VAT on bras.
A successful first day
The final section of the day was dedicated to SoR policy, including a proposed review of Assistant Practitioner (AP) scope of practice. The motion, which called on the UK Council to survey and investigate current AP practice and share good examples to leverage further expansion of the role, was carried.
Mr Pilborough added: “It’s been a great day and it’s great to see opposition [to motions] because that promotes live debate. It’s great that people want to discuss things and have a passion to talk about their experiences in work.”
Katie Thompson, SoR vice president and chair of the day’s proceedings, said: “I thought the calibre of speeches was really good and I thought there was great engagement from all members.
“I love it when you get a few supporters and some opposition - it makes it really interesting for those that are watching it.
“Everyone is so welcoming regardless of the motion, so I think it’s been a really successful first day of conference.”
ADC continues on Wednesday 18 April.
Find out more about ADC here.
The live stream recap and further details of the motions and results will be available shortly.
(Image: Queens Hotel, Leeds - iStock/ Getty Images Plus)