The RCR is aware that many departments are under pressure with reporting delays as a result of staffing shortages, which has recently been highlighted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). All radiology departments will have been in receipt of a survey from the CQC designed to assess the national situation concerning radiology reporting.
The report on the Cancer Workforce Plan identifies the requirement for an additional 668 consultant radiologists by 2021. This is welcome news and the RCR is working with Health Education England (HEE) and equivalent organisations in the devolved nations to increase the number of funded training posts.
There are a number of ways in which the College can help departments struggling to meet demand.
- Publications and standards are available, of which the most relevant is:
Standards for interpretation and reporting of imaging investigations, Second edition
- Informatics support: the RCR produced a practical document for NHS departments detailing how they can work together to share diagnostic images and reports effectively.
- The Mentoring Programme for new consultants and information for radiologists training and Working in the UK are useful resources for individuals and departments with further information available on non-clinical skills development, including Human Factors, available via RCR Learning
- The Service Review system is available where trusts or equivalent bodies across the UK are concerned about standards or performance issues at a service level that cannot be satisfactorily resolved locally. Further information and additional advice can be provided by contacting the Professional Services Team
- The RCR’s vision of how to address the severe workforce crisis was published in 2016: Radiology training 2016-2026: a vision and a solution
The report advocates the expansion of academies and the academy model with associated benefits for training numbers and educators and resources are available for Medical Educator Development
- Departments wishing to establish additional training posts should contact their local training programme. Information on training is available via training@rcr.ac.uk.
College Officers are available to provide information and advice.
For questions relating to education and training contact the Medical Director Education and Training, Dr Stephen Harden
For questions relating to service issues and service reviews contact the Medical Director Professional Practice, Professor Mark Callaway
Contact Vice-President, Dr William Ramsden, or President, Dr Jeanette Dickson, for general support and advice.