Policy & Guidance Document Library

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common work-related illness in Britain. Therapeutic radiographers and assistant practitioners work in demanding environments, within Radiotherapy centres. This document presents an analysis of an online survey conducted during July and August 2011, of Therapeutic Radiographers and Assistant Practitioners, within the United Kingdom.Respondents were asked a series of questions regarding their age, health, duration of working day, positionsadopted whilst carrying out their duties including any health issues which they are suffering from. The survey was anonymous and covered all Therapeutic Radiographers and Assistant Practitioners within the UK.

The Society of Radiographers has updated this advice and guidance document on the subject of health, safety and pregnancy in response to questions and concerns raised by our members, representatives and managers. This guidance also gives advice on current health and safety legislation relating to pregnancy. Finally there is a section on legal rights of pregnant employees including benefits and extracts from the Agenda for Change staff terms and conditions handbook

The 2011, Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) passed a motion which "ensured members are aware of the issues surrounding domestic violence abuse, and to encourage SoR representatives to seek and review trust/board absenteeism policies and develop separate policies on domestic abuse". The SoR understands that the workplace can be a place of safety for the victims of domestic violence, it is also a place that colleagues, friends notice what is going on, a place where the victim may confide in their colleagues about their experiences. But more importantly it can be a place, where victims can access support they so desperately need. This document will address this motion and provide much needed guidance and support for members, SoR representatives and employers.

In May 2011, the Society of Radiographers (SoR) surveyed imaging and radiotherapy departments in the UK. The aim of the survey was to collect data on any changes made to sickness absence policies in the last two years and what impact, if any, this is having on staff and patient care. SoR accredited representatives in over 50 departments responded to an online questionnaire. This document presents the results of this survey.

The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) presents this analysis of a survey conducted amongst SoR accredited health and safety reps within the United Kingdom regarding the effect the recession has had on health and safety. 57 respondents answered a range of questions in an online questionnaire about whether SoR health and safety reps where experiencing difficulties obtaining time off to perform their duties, whether there had been a rise in health and safety related incidents and whether reps felt sufficient time was being spent on health and safety or meeting targets.

SCoR publishes this guidance in response to the marked increase in the number of members complaining of a range of upper limb disorders (commonly known as repetitive strain injury) including pains in the neck, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers; back ache (from inappropriate seating), fatigue and eye strain which has resulted from the transition to digital equipment. The importance of adequate health and safety training provision cannot be emphasised too highly especially regarding safety aspects of operating VDUs. The SoR cannot stress how important it is for the employer's interest to be proactive and educate employees in how to avoid problems rather than be reactive and deal with possible claims for damages once employees have been injured.

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.

A recently written report by Ann Keen, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for health (NHS BSP Annual Review 2007) claims that all of the promises made in the National Health Service Cancer Plan (DH 2000) to improve breast cancer detection through the NHS Breast Screening Programme have been delivered. Ann acknowledged "that whilst this is clearly a testament to all the hard work of those delivering such a valuable service we must remain committed to ensuring continued improvements to breast screening services and underlining our reputation as a world leader". But what has this continued success already cost the members of the Society of Radiographers in terms of their health, safety and welfare whilst they continue to work under pressure to achieve these targets? This publication has been designed to raise awareness of issues that may contribute to work-related MSDs in mammographers, and offers advice to minimise the potential risks affecting SoR members.

Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work, but too often this is not the case. If you are being bullied or harassed, or if you are a SoR rep who has encountered this problem in the workplace, it can be difficult to know what to do about it - this guide intends to fill that gap. This society publication has been updated to ensure that both SoR reps and members have a resource that will provide practical information and advice on how to deal with this growing problem, how to stop it and how to prevent it happening in the future.

In 1997, the Society of Radiographers carried out a survey on occupational asthma occurring from exposure to fumes to X-ray processing chemicals which showed that, although the situation in trusts with regard to health and safety is improving compared to a previous survey, it still leaves much to be desired.

This publication is designed to update representatives and members on the current situation regarding exposure to processing chemicals and to provide a comprehensive guide to how occupational asthma can be prevented.