The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) is pleased to present its third Strategy for Research, continuing the work of previous editions. This recognises the important link between research and clinical practice, ensuring an evidence-based culture for the radiographic profession. SCoR has determined strategic drivers and a five year plan for the profession to help managers produce their own departmental strategies for research and to aid those in the profession who wish to be research active but are unsure of the help and support available.

The purpose of this guidance is to consider current ultrasound referral practice against existing Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) arrangements for members of the Society of Radiographers (SOR) who are practising sonographers. This guidance also applies to those individuals who are members of the Society for  Vascular Technology of Great Britain and Ireland (SVT) and who obtain PII through the SOR. In particular, this guidance identifies the practice requirements of the SOR in order for individuals to remain within the terms of the professional indemnity provided. This document is additional to existing guidance on the Society's professional indemnity membership benefit as published in the SCoR document 'Summary of Professional Liability Insurance Policy' which members are strongly advised to read

SCoR publishes this position statement in response to a number of recent intitiatives which have promoted the role for allied health professionals to accept patients for assessment and treatment without them requiring referral from a medical practitioner or other registered healthcare practitioner. It is timely, therefore, to consider the role of both diagnostic and therapy radiographers.

Since publication of the first version of the Education and Professional Development (EPD) Strategy in 2002, many changes have been implemented in the delivery of healthcare. This new document supersedes the version Education & Professional Development: Moving Ahead first published in 2003 and revised in 2006. Many of the principles of practice that were outlined in that document are still relevant. For patients, staff and employers to benefit from the opportunities outlined, continual development, growth and embedding of professional skills and culture are essential. Just as professional development is required to support service delivery, the profession must work closely with employers to identify adequate resources to support development opportunities and to ensure that effort and skills are properly rewarded. Delivery of the strategy outlined in this new guidance cannot be achieved without the support of the profession as a whole.

The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) receives many enquiries that relate either to training in ultrasound, employment or registration. Many of these enquiries are from sonographers who trained overseas or would like to undertake ultrasound training in the United Kingdom (UK). It is hoped that this publication will answer many of the more common queries.

This document sets out the learning and development requirements for this aspect of practice within the context of the career progression framework. It is envisaged that these standards will:

• Support the development of suitable education provision for this area of practice
• Support the approval of such programmes by the AAB
• Define clear standards of practice in hybrid imaging; anecdotal evidence suggests that inappropriate skills mix is being used
• Promote the development of advanced and consultant practitioner roles in nuclear medicine

The purpose of this pack is to provide a useful aid and support mechanism for radiographers starting out in research. The pack has been compiled by a group of experienced research radiographers and focuses on areas fundamental in development. It offers advice on appropriate training and education needs, highlights the importance of the legal requirements required to participate in research and suggests ways of accessing further information.

This document sets out the Society of Radiographers' expectations regarding employee development, review and progression. The guidance and advice includes general principles and recommends best practice in the use of employer-led systems to support these and also considers these principles within the context of the UK National Health Service (NHS) Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF).