upcoming graduation ceremonies - you have all deserved it for your hard work and perseverance! Continuing Development Professional Contents: SMS Alerts "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." Continuing Professional Development An end to another term Social events Past and upcoming Events SMS Alerts In order to remain close to our valued members, the SRM Executive Committee decided that it was time for the Society to have its own mobile number through which we can quickly disseminate SMS alerts about upcoming events, CPD lectures, and any other important information. If you are a member and have never received an SMS from the SRM, kindly let us know so that we can check your details accordingly. "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." Albert Einstein We would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the many radiographers who, over the past years, have successfully completed postgraduate courses. and doctoral research studies throughout the past academic year. Well done on this achievement and we do hope that you will enjoy your We also need to mention the many radiographers who are currently reading for, or about to start, postgraduate courses and doctoral research studies. Well done on embarking on this journey of personal and professional development. Do not give up, because as Aristotle once claimed: The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. And this same fruit will be even sweeter for the radiography profession as a whole, if radiographers make use of any knowledge and skills gained to bring about further improvements to the quality service and care we already provide to our patients. In this way, our profession will show that we not only strive for success but we also strive to be of value!! Indeed, we can provide this value through various means, the simplest being through informal discussions with your colleagues and peers whereby thoughts, knowledge and skills are shared. Alternatively, it would be better if radiographers believe more in themselves to share and disseminate their work wider audiences, especially with respect to research studies carried out. We commend the many radiographers who have already presented (or are about to present) their research findings at local and/or international conferences, but we are certain that more radiographers are more than able to do so as well. Furthermore, we believe that most radiographers should embark on trying to publish their research in peer reviewed journals - that way you are ensuring that all your hard work will not just sit alone on a shelf - but it can actually serve as a valuable resource for others. This year the SRM focused to try and further develop first aid skills amongst radiographers. Following collaboration with the Malta Red Cross Society, a basic First Aid Course was organised and successfully completed by a group of 12 radiographers in July 2013. Many more radiographers registered their interest to pursue this course at a later but the minimal number of 10 participants was not reached for our attempt to organise this course in October. Depending on interest, we will try to organise another course during t 2014. If you are interested in attending this course please let us know by e-mail on srm.malta@gmail.com Apart from the First Aid Course, the SRM held other CPD lectures this year: The Cost of Caring, Optimisation of CT and Current Practice: Working with Children. During the next year we will surely continue to organise various CPD talks and will keep you informed of other talks and seminars organised locally and internationally that may be of interest to you. If any radiographers want to deliver a CPD talk or share their experience, dissertation projects and/or case studies just let us know by e-mail on srm.malta@gmail.com. This year, one of our committee members Daniella Zammit, has represented the Society in the European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS) Annual General meeting in Prague. Continuing Professional Development in different European countries was discussed among other radiography profession related issues. More details will be given at this year s AGM on the 20 th of December. Visit www.efrs.eu for more information on EFRS projects. 2
An end to another term As you might know, the SRM executive committee is elected by the members for a two-year term. The current committee was elected in 2011 which means that during this year's Annual General Meeting, we will be once again holding an election to decide the new members of the executive committee. The new executive committee will then continue on the work and projects of previous committees, and will meet regularly to discuss issues related to our profession. During the past two years we have worked not only to provide several CPD opportunities, but we have also continued to strengthen our affiliations with European and International Radiographic Communities; we have enrolled the SRM as a voluntary organisation with the office of the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations; and are currently working to on a document that outlines the SRM's view of the Radiography Profession's Code of Ethics and Practice. Furthermore, we have met with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and other pertinent officials to discuss the advancement of the radiography profession and challenges related to it. When there was a need, we also issued press releases to safeguard the professional profile of our profession and clarify any misconceptions that had been reported. All this work and effort is done voluntarily but with a lot of enthusiasm and passion - in the end we truly want to ensure that that the professional profile of our profession is enhanced further, for the benefit of all radiographers as well as our patients. If you feel that you are able to contribute to your Society, we do encourage you to take the initiative and submit a nomination form for this year's election. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of the current executive committee members for more information or send us an e-mail on srm.malta@gmail.com Social events With much pleasure earlier this year, the SRM executive committee organised another successful summer event: Radiographers go Mexican, which was attended by many radiographers, students and families and friends. We had a blast, both whilst preparing for the event and even more so throughout the evening - Upcoming Events: 20 th December SRM AGM & Christmas Party social events like this create such a positive attitude. Committee members worked whole heartedly to ensure that the evening was enjoyable for all those attending, and the great thing is that we all loved working together, further building the team work between us. - so we would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who joined us without each and every one of you, it would not have been such a success. Last but not least, we would like to inform you that the profits made during this event, will ALL go for a charitable cause. The charity to which we will donate the money will be declared at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 20th of December. In recognition of all the hard work, dedication and care provided by all radiographers, radiologists and other professionals involved in medical imaging services - have a happy World Radiography Day!! 3
SRM Mexican Night 9/08/2013 4
Caritas Charity Walk 29/10/2013 5
Committee Members at Maria and Chris Wedding We invite you all to join us for this year s SRM Christmas Party let s celebrate together. Everyone is welcome. 6
Society of Medical Radiographers Malta The Professional Centre Sliema Road Gżira, GZR 1633 Malta srm.malta@gmail.com 8