SIPTU meets Minister for Health to discuss role of Radiographers and Radiation Therapists

SIPTU representatives today (Thursday, 26th May) met with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to discuss the potential to develop the role of Radiation Therapists and Radiographers in the health service.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “At the meeting we presented the Minister with our members’ vision for the positive development of the role of Radiation Therapists and Radiographers. Advances in technology, education qualifications and state registration present an opportunity for the transformation of the manner in which scans and treatment are prescribed, performed and reported on.”

SIPTU Radiographers and Radiation Therapists National Executive President, Michele Monahan described the meeting as “positive”.

She said: “Our members believe an advancement of their role will ensure that the best use of diagnostic services is secured to the benefit of patients. We look forward to future engagement with the Minister’s office to further expand on proposals for role expansion in the health service which are included in the Programme for Government.”

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell said: “We informed the Minister that we are seeking to deliver sustainable solutions to the challenges health workers face every day within our health service.

“SIPTU has 45,000 members within the Nursing and Midwifery, Allied Health Professionals, National Ambulance Service and Support Grades in the health service. Our members look forward to developing a constructive working relationship with the Minister and his Department.”

Read a copy of the submission here

To download a workplace poster for our CPD day on the 11th of June click here

World Radiography Day

World Radiography Day is celebrated on 8 November each year. The date marks the anniversary of the discovery of x-radiation by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895.

World Radiography Day has been proudly embraced internationally for over 100 years by those involved in radiographic imaging and therapy. Radiography came into being in 1895 when Röntgen first produced and discovered the electromagnetic radiation wavelength commonly known as an x-ray. Röntgen inadvertently witnessed a radiograph of the bones of his own hand during testing the penetration of various materials. It took a further 2 weeks of diligent and meticulous exploration of this discovery for Röntgen to produce the famous first recorded x-ray / radiograph of his wife’s hand. Röntgen, as a result of this discovery, published his first original paper, “Über eine neue Art von Strahlen” (On A New Kind Of Rays) on 28 December 1895. He subsequently won the first Nobel Prize in physics in 1901.

Radiographers worldwide use the day to promote radiography as a career, as a vital contribution to modern healthcare and as a chance to increase public awareness of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy.

 

Watch SIPTU Radiographers and Radiation Therapists talk about their role in our health services here

Smiling businessman drinking coffee with his colleagues during coffee break

WRD 2015 resources

Radiographers Registration Board Notice of Election 2015 and Request for Nominations

SIPTU members working as Radiographers and Radiation Therapists are advised CORU are seeking to hold elections for (6) positions to the radiographer registration board in early December 2015.

The following notice refers to both radiographers and radiation therapists and states:

‘As provided for in the Election of Members for Appointment to the Radiographers Registration Board Bye-Law 2014, this is the official notice of the holding of the 2015 election of six members to the Radiographers Registration Board and request for nominations of candidates.

Vacancies arise in the following Three Electoral Categories

Category 1: Three vacancies for registrants who are engaged in the practice of the profession of radiographer or radiation therapist

Category 2: Two vacancies for registrants who are engaged in the management of services provided by the profession of radiographer or radiation therapist

Category 3: One vacancy for registrants who are engaged in education provided for the profession of radiographer or radiation therapist’

Please note that nominations are being requested by CORU to be received by the returning officer no later than the 16th November 2015.

Should any SIPTU member wish to put themselves forward for a position please email ask@siptuhealth.ie for more details.

SIPTU urge all Radiographers and Radiation Therapists to get State registered

All SIPTU members working as Radiographers and Radiation Therapists are being reminded to apply to register with CORU by the October 31st 2015.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, with responsibility for all Allied Health Professionals, Kevin Figgis said: “We are running an awareness campaign throughout October on SIPTUhealth.ie and social media to ensure that no member is left behind when the date closes for State registration on October 31st 2015.

Speaking to SIPTUhealth.ie Mr Figgis said: “State registration is compulsory under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 for all Radiographers and Radiation Therapists. We believe that professional registration protects patients and the strengths development of professional standards and ethics in the workplace. It underpins the need for registrants to prioritise continuous professional development as well as progressing complaints and fitness to practice.”

Mr Figgis added: “SIPTU will actively campaign throughout October to assist and support our members to register. We will also encourage all Radiographers and Radiation Therapists to join SIPTU and organise to ensure that professional registration is a positive component of their professional development in our health service.”