A motion at the SoR's Annual Delegates Conference 2024 sought greater support for members to reach out to other radiographers and facilitate collaboration within, between and across regions.
Now, the SoR has shared its various resources, groups and networks that members can access in pursuit of this collaboration.
Lewis Murphy, a chest X-ray reporting radiographer at Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, led the motion at the Annual Delegates Conference (ADC).
'Variance, inefficiency, and service disparities'
Mr Murphy explained: “During research for my publications I was surprised how many studies were collecting ‘census-style’ data relating to those with enhanced, advanced and consultant roles. This gave the impression many are unaware of colleagues outside their own departments or regions who have similar roles.
“When discussing this with colleagues from our own region, many had examples that led to variance, inefficiency and service disparities.”
The ADC motion suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a voluntary directory in the members’ area of the website, to facilitate professional networking and collaboration.
'Enthusiasm and passion'
Dr Tracy O’Regan, professional officer for clinical imaging and research at SoR, said: “There are quite significant practicalities and resourcing considerations that accompany the provision of a whole member directory. We were delighted to discuss and explore this motion because it highlights the great enthusiasm and passion of members for sharing experiences, seeking out solutions to everyday problems, and supporting each other.
“SoR approaches are intended to encourage and help members to share queries with their colleagues on groups and forums that facilitate communities of practice. When multiple people respond to questions, in a range of ways, with a range of potential solutions, then ideas are generated that can support professionals and patients with practical steps.”
The wide range of ways for radiographers to collaborate through the SoR include:
Special Interest Groups
Society of Radiographers Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are led by volunteer members, and share information across their specialisms.
“They are a fantastic place to connect with colleagues from across the UK,” Dr O’Regan said.
A list of all SIGs and related webpages can be found here.
The SIG webpages provide contact details for group chairs who can provide further details and arrange invitations to join the SIGs. They can also cascade queries to SIG members.
Professional networking spaces
Professional networking is encouraged with the use of Synapse Workspaces provided for SoR members.
Workspaces include trainee consultant and consultant radiographer networks, accredited advanced practitioners, reporting radiographers, research network and a digital, AI and informatics group.
Access to the groups can be requested online via the Society of Radiographers Synapse, or by contacting [email protected]
Union representatives
Industrial Relations, Health and Safety, and Union Learning Representatives are volunteers based in local workplaces.
Find out more about how to contact them, or become a union representative, here.
Society of Radiographers Advisory Groups
Advisory Groups provide expert advice to the council of the SoR and the College of Radiographers Board of Trustees.
SoR members sit on advisory groups for a tenure of four years, with the option to apply for a second term if there are vacancies. Seats are advertised in Synergy, via SoR News, social media and on Synapse Workspaces.
The chairs of the advisory groups or boards provide leadership and direction to group members to deliver the aims of the group. They coordinate group members' activity and encourage participation of members both at and between meetings. They are supported by a SoR council member, a named SCoR professional officer, and professional administration.
SoR Advisory Groups and members in tenure are listed online here.
SoR news and Synergy
Synergy and SoR.org/news provide a current space for information sharing, updates, calls for working party members, SIG information sharing and more.
SoR members are welcome to publish and can contact the Synergy editorial team via [email protected]
Society of Radiographers officers
SoR professional, regional, and trade union industrial relations officers and staff are listed online at SoR staff with email addresses providing direct contact.
Mr Murphy concluded: “I’d like to give a huge thank you to everybody who supported this motion at the Annual Delegates Conference. It has been really interesting to hear more about the work SOR does to support collaboration and professional networking.
“I can understand why the Society cannot support a professional directory at this time. However, I would strongly encourage members to join Special Interest Groups and Synapse Spaces appropriate to their role; there are some incredibly welcoming, supportive communities of practice in our profession that have a wealth of experience and expertise.”
(Image: Dr. Tracy O'Regan at ADC 2024, via Eva Slusarek)