Radiographers' unhappy with 'below inflation' pay offer

A spokesperson for the Society of Radiographers (SoR) has said the pay offer made to public-sector workers in the North "doesn’t come close to recognising [its] members’ needs and the needs of the radiography profession as a whole".

The Society of Radiographers is the professional body and trade union for all those practising in medical imaging and radiography. The SoR represents more than 33,000 members, most of whom work in the NHS, at all grades, across clinical imaging and cancer / radiotherapy pathways of care. 

Cora Regan, Northern Ireland national officer for the Society of Radiographers, said: "The SoR is pleased that there has finally been a pay offer made to public-sector workers in Northern Ireland.

"It’s an important first step – but it doesn’t come close to recognising our members’ needs and the needs of the radiography profession as a whole. 

"Our members – alongside other public-sector workers – have waited a long time for this pay award. Now, as we start the 2024-25 pay review, they will at least be at the same starting point as their colleagues in England.  

"However, let there be no mistake: this is not a good starting point. It is simply better than it previously was – when radiographers in Northern Ireland were the worst paid in the United Kingdom. Nor is this offer a good one: it is below inflation, and therefore merely increases the pay gap that has built up over the last 15 years," said Ms Regan.  

The pay offer also includes a one-off payment. However, Ms Regan said that would have no long-term benefit for families struggling to plan for the future during a cost-of-living crisis.  

She added: "And it is going to do nothing to stop the brain drain of radiographers to the Republic of Ireland, where the starting salary for a Band 5 radiographer will still be more than £5,000 higher than in Northern Ireland.

"If radiography professionals living near the border can work in a hospital 20 minutes’ drive away and earn £5,000 more, why would they choose to work in Northern Ireland? 

"Radiography professionals support nine out of 10 patients in Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. They work in diagnostic services, carrying out X-rays, MRI and CT scans, and in therapeutic services, planning and delivering radiotherapy to cancer patients.   

"As a result, HSC is struggling to recruit and retain radiographers, meaning that 188,850 people in Northern Ireland – nearly 10 per cent of the population – are now waiting for a diagnostic test. This wait means that treatment such as radiotherapy is delayed and cases become more complex – and, for some patients, even a two-week delay can mean the difference between life and death," said Ms Regan.

Ms Regan said the SoR had highlighted its concerns in our submission to the NHS Pay Review Body in England and Wales.

"We will be discussing the situation in Northern Ireland in our oral evidence, and in a submission to the Northern Ireland assembly.  

Our members deserve better. Our patients deserve better," said Ms Regan.