Workforce growth has not kept pace in recent years with demand for imaging services. Radiology departments are reporting that they are unable to recruit the staff they need.
Increased workload over a prolonged period can lead to stress and burnout, which in turn can lead to adverse patient outcomes. At the same time, radiology expenditure has spiralled as departments cope with the image reporting demands.
EMRAD believes there are new solutions to some of these old challenges - by sharing our resources, becoming more flexible in the way we work, and being more innovative in how services are delivered.
Our remote-working pilots have seen 180 reporters (radiologists and radiographers) use IT equipment to work in their own homes. This has increased the capacity and flexibility of the existing radiology service and reduced reliance on private sector support.
In the future we may wish to explore how radiologists and radiographers are employed by their local NHS trusts and whether there is an alternative, more flexible model of employment, supporting both local NHS organisations and the professionals looking to lead more interesting, enjoyable and rewarding careers.
Aligned with this, EMRAD is well placed to support our current and future workforce through education, training and leadership role opportunities. EMRAD runs masterclasses for imaging staff across the region as well as nationwide and in 2021 launched a series of leadership and management webinars for doctors in training.