NHS Wales currently lacks 88 specialist radiologists needed to meet clinical demand, leaving doctors forced to cancel appointments or withhold scan results. The crisis is particularly severe in north and west Wales, where regional consultant shortages have climbed to 42%. While the UK average workforce grew by 5% in 2024, Wales saw an increase of just 1.1%. In response, regional health boards are turning to external third-party providers and nurse-led clinics to mitigate diagnostic delays.
Key points
Severe imaging backlogs are causing cancer patients to experience clinical deterioration…: Severe imaging backlogs are causing cancer patients to experience clinical deterioration before receiving necessary diagnostic scans and tests.
Stagnant workforce growth has forced clinicians to cancel patient appointments and delaye…: Stagnant workforce growth has forced clinicians to cancel patient appointments and delayed the delivery of critical scan results.
Health officials are relying on third-party partnerships, medical school collaborations,…: Health officials are relying on third-party partnerships, medical school collaborations, and nurse-led clinics to alleviate scanning bottlenecks.
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Cancer patients have warned delays in scans could be the difference between life and death as Wales faces a shortage of radiologists.
The Royal College of Radiologists said NHS Wales currently had 88 fewer radiologists than it needed - a 28% shortfall.
For the first time, it has reported seeing some patients' conditions "deteriorating" while waiting for diagnostic scans and tests.
Radiologists are doctors who specialise in using images to diagnose and manage medical conditions and diseases.
Betsi Cadwaladr health board, which covers one of the areas most affected by shortages, said recruitment was ongoing and, despite a substantial increase in demand for scans, reporting times had improved.
Beverly Scott, who was first diagnosed with ovarian and peritoneal cancer 14 years ago, said treatment was keeping her condition stable but without timely scans it was at risk of spreading unnoticed.
Scott, who is a member of Pwllheli and Pen Llŷn cancer support group in Gwynedd, was given five years to live when she was first diagnosed.
She took part in medical trials at the Royal Marsden Hospital in…
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