Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn, the mayor of Brighton and Hove, opened this year's gathering of reps at the Society's Annual Delegates Conference.
He commented on the "vital work" carried out by radiography professionals and commended the conference for the packed agenda they were scheduled to debate.
Close to 200 representatives from across the UK gathered in Brighton to debate 59 motions covering radiography-related issues and public policy matters such as prescription costs and fuel poverty.
Michael Graveling, the Society's president welcomed delegates and reminded them that the profession and the UK were experiencing difficult economic circumstances and challenges "not seen since the early days of the Society in the 1920s and '30s. There is trouble ahead for the public sector, the NHS and the Society. There will be a squeeze on spending."
He praised the Society's strong reps' network saying that it has "served us well in the past and it will in the future. By sticking together we will overcome problems, as we have in the past."
Programme highlights for managers include:
• Implementation of Agenda for Change
Concern that 'Many employers are imposing their own interpretations on some of the provisions of the agreement. This has lead to a non-uniform application of the terms of the agreement across the UK. '
• Manager training
Calls for the UK Council of the Society of Radiographers to 'provide managers with information, training and support on the implementation of SoR policies.'
• Workforce development
Calls on Conference to 'support a campaign pressing government to make further progress on workforce development, thereby demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improving services and quality of care.'
Click here to see all the motions and updates as to whether they have been carried or failed.
