Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference Royal College of Radiologists’ 2021 clinical radiology workforce census, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on clinical radiology of the 29 per cent shortfall of clinical radiologists.

As of March 2022, there were 5,081 full time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the National Health Service in the specialism of clinical radiology - an increase of 57.4% since March 2010. There were 1,501 FTE doctors in the specialism of clinical oncology or an increase of 46.9% since March 2010. This includes doctors in training, specialists and doctors on other contracts. Data on the number of interventional radiologists is not held centrally.

The Department has commissioned Health Education England review the long-term workforce demand and supply. In addition, we have asked NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The outcomes will be available in due course. Officials are currently analysing the responses received to the call for evidence to develop the forthcoming 10 Year Cancer Plan. The Plan will set out how we will ensure that the appropriate workforce is in place to support all cancer patients.