Clinical radiology UK workforce census report 2018

Summary

The Royal College of Radiologists’ (RCR) annual radiology workforce report collected data and commentary from imaging department leaders from all 172 UK health boards and trusts that employ radiologists. The report highlights the UK’s current and predicted shortage of radiologists and urgently calls for more funding for trainees and improved retention and recruitment.

Content

Key findings from the Clinical Radiology UK Workforce Census Report 2018 include:

• Three quarters of radiology clinical directors say they do not have enough radiology consultants to deliver safe and effective patient care.
• NHS hospitals spent £165m last year on outsourcing, overtime and locums to cover radiologist work, £49m more than in 2017 and three times what was spent in 2014.
• The amount spent on outsourcing would pay for 1,887 full-time radiologists, which would more than pay to cover the current shortfall of 1,104 consultants.
• Only one in five UK trusts and health boards has enough interventional radiologists to run a safe 24/7 service to perform urgent procedures .
• England has seen an increase in its full-time radiologist workforce; however, consultant numbers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are flatlining.