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Agenda item

Agenda item

UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF LEICESTER (UHL) NHS TRUST RESPONSE REGARDING RADIOLOGISTS SHORTAGES

University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust submit a report regarding shortages of Radiologists which explains that the Royal College of Radiologists has been highlighting a national shortage of radiologists against a backdrop of consistently increasing demand. Members are asked to consider the UHL’s response to the shortage.

Minutes:

Andy Rickett, Clinical Director of Strategy and Communications presented a report regarding shortages of Radiologists. The report explained that the Royal College of Radiologists had been highlighting a national shortage against a backdrop of increasing demand. Members were asked to consider the University Hospitals of Leicester’s (UHL) response to the shortage.

 

Mr Rickett explained that the increasing demand resulted partly from the drive for an earlier diagnosis but there were also issues around the workforce. The service had a 5 % increase in the workforce but an increase in demand of about 30%. A dynamic recruitment process around the world was taking place along with an active training scheme, but some of the imaging work had to be outsourced.

 

The Chair thanked Mr Rickett for the report and invited questions and comments from Members. During the ensuing discussion, questions and responses given included the following:

 

·      It was questioned whether any new technology was forthcoming which would make the imaging process more efficient, possibly by using artificial intelligence. Cathy Lea, Lead General Manager for Imaging explained that the UHL was part of a large research programme which was looking at artificial intelligence. The new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans took longer than the older MRI’s but their images were more detailed and very good quality.

 

·      Congratulations were given to the UHL that they were successful in recruiting radiologists and had bucked the national trend. A Member questioned whether more could be done to encourage children to consider radiology as a career. Ms Lea responded that an open day was being held on 10th November at the General Hospital for people to find out about the work that took place in a hospital imaging department. This was open to everyone and information had been sent to schools and universities. The Chair asked for details so that the open day could be advertised in councillors’ wards.

 

·      The Chair commented that it was evident that more could be diagnosed through screening and the quality of the scans was improving. She asked what was causing the rise in demand. Mr Rickett said that it was partly because the public had raised expectations, but also due to Government health campaigns which raised awareness. These campaigns resulted in an increased demand for imaging scans.

 

·      The new Emergency Department had also led to an increase in demand; Members heard that there was a message to be put across to colleagues to ensure that imaging was used in the correct way.

 

·      In relation to staff, it was anticipated that the shortage of radiologists would continue. In response to a query as to whether Brexit would affect staffing levels, the commission heard that the service had a large group of Portuguese radiologists and a lot of work was being carried out to assure them that they could stay post Brexit.

 

·      The commission heard that Leicester was the first place in the country to have a post mortem CT service. For cultural reasons, some people did not want the usual type of post mortem to be carried out on their loved ones because it was invasive, but very positive feedback had been received on the CT post mortem service.

 

The Chair drew the discussion to a close and wished the Radiologist Team good luck for the future

 

 AGREED:

that the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Commission notes the report and supports the work of the Radiologist Service.     

Supporting documents: