Returners are too good to miss
 The HPC is reviewing its requirements for those returning to practice “in light of feedback received from returners”. From 14 April, those applying for readmission to the Register will no longer have to complete a period of supervised practice as part of their application. However, radiographers seeking readmission to the Register need to meet the standards of proficiency and will still require a period of supervised practice to ensure that they meet the competencies.
In recent years there has been a recognised shortage of qualified employees within the NHS and in radiography in particular. This has resulted in extra costs for NHS trusts as they try and cover the shortfall in staff. The shortage also places additional burdens on established staff at a time when capacity within therapeutic and diagnostic departments has increased. The situation has been further exacerbated by the introduction of new technologies and the subsequent increase in demand this has generated. In the words of NHS Careers, the need to “attract returners back to the NHS is a key part of achieving the right size of workforce with the right mix of skills for modern patient care.”
Whilst recognising other measures have been taken to increase the number of trained staff, ie increased numbers of assistant practitioners and student radiographers, their training takes two and three years respectively.
The differing needs and initial difficulties that a few returners have faced may have deterred some departments from accepting them back into the workplace, but with a good mentoring system, most difficulties can be quickly addressed and the majority of returners have successfully been re-integrated.
For further information on Returning to Practice, please contact Christina Freeman, Professional Officer, on 020 7740 7245 or e-mail christinaf@sor.org
Click here for here for full instructions about returners. Click here for a copy of the HPC letter.
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