NHS staff members should be provided with an NHS national railcard, offering discounted rail travel, the Society of Radiographers will hear today (Tuesday, 28 April).
This would not only help retain the NHS workforce, but would also improve access to hospitals for patients, attendees at the SoR’s Annual Delegates’ Conference will hear.
A motion to be presented at the conference states: “Many NHS professionals live far from their workplaces due to housing costs, and rail fares can exceed £300 a month. A railcard would ease financial stress, support morale, support wellbeing and recognise frontline workers in a practical way.”
Rewarding staff
The motion’s proposer, Mark Sherratt, a radiographer from Wales, says: “What can you get a railcard for right now? There’s this sweet spot if you’re old or young. But the workforce doesn’t get access to anything unless you’re in the armed forces or disabled.
“More than anything, this is a way of rewarding hardworking NHS staff.”
Dean Rogers, SoR executive director of industrial strategy and member relations, says: “New radiography graduates are struggling to secure posts, as a result of recruitment freezes, and increasing numbers are forced to travel long distances for work.
“NHS radiographers have experienced a consistent devaluing of their pay and terms and conditions since 2008, in comparison with the rest of the economy. The gap between NHS pay and average earnings continues to grow, further undermining morale, recruitment and retention in radiography.
“Discounted rail travel won’t solve these problems, but it does at least acknowledge them, and would therefore be a step in the right direction. The government should be signalling more than they do that they value the public sector.”
Clear environmental benefits
Mr Sherratt believes that an NHS railcard will also benefit patients: “A railcard would encourage more healthcare workers to leave their cars at home, with the knock-on effect of leaving valuable hospital car-parking spaces free for patients.
“And the NHS is a large employer. Encouraging staff to take public transport would have clear environmental benefits.”
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