Author: Steve Herring, SCoR president
There's one thing that never fails to surprise me about our profession - our capacity to respond and adapt to changing technological advances and service demands.
I recently returned from Chicago, USA where I took part in the RSNA Annual Meeting, the world’s largest radiological congress. If you’ve never been, it’s hard to imagine the breadth and depth of the professional programme and the awe-inspiring exhibition which fills two huge halls. It’s very easy to clock up an impressive number of miles in just a few hours!
I had the pleasure of meeting many new people, including members of the Society who were there to share their brilliant research. What struck me was just how advanced the UK profession is. It’s something I instinctively knew, but had never actually witnessed. The research and knowledge that our members presented was of the highest standard, and it was very pleasing to see how well received it was by colleagues from other countries.
Some of the aims of my presidency, set out last summer, are to promote the profession at home and abroad, talk about advanced practice, and amplify the voice of those who are daring to tread new ground. Through my conversations with our American counterparts, it became clear just how far we’ve come.
I admit that it’s sometimes too easy to focus on the road ahead and see it stretch into the never-ending distance. That’s why, as 2017 begins, I’m taking some time to look back and feel energised by how far we’ve already travelled, in every sense.
These past six months as president have taken me to many new places, from the east to the west of the UK, to the north and back to the south. I have visited many departments and met with dozens of radiographers, as well as senior management teams. And it’s not over yet; very soon I will be packing my suitcases again to begin a tour of Scotland.
Of those members I’ve met so far, all have made me feel very welcome and there has also been a lot of positive feedback about the work of the SCoR.
But it is tough out there. It’s a truism, of course, but we really are having to do much more with much less, and it’s hard to see this changing any time soon.
If I have one wish for 2017 it’s that we sustain the exceptional passion, professionalism and energy that keeps us moving forwards, for ourselves and, most importantly, our patients. After meeting so many of you, I’m full of as much confidence as I am admiration.
I wish you all the best for a happy, successful new year!