Radiography and Radiology services - Work in Progress

Radiography and Radiology services (collectively known as diagnostic imaging services) are a key component of both elective and unplanned care within the Health and Social Care (HSC) sector. They involve radiographers firstly using various sophisticated equipment to produce images or scans of tissues, organs and bones within the human body. These are then mostly reviewed and interpreted by consultant Radiologists to help diagnose, assess and monitor illness, disease and injuries, and provide expert guidance to other clinicians on optimum future treatments. Early and effective intervention is key to ensuring good patient outcomes.   

This high-level review is primarily considering the capacity of diagnostic imaging services to meet current patient need and what further steps need to be taken to ensure these are placed on a sustainable basis to address future challenges, demands and pressures. It addresses four main areas: 

• The extent to which demand for services has grown and is forecast to keep rising, and the various factors which have contributed to this, as well as whether funding for services has kept pace with demand. 
• trends for the number of people on HSC waiting lists for imaging and the length of time patients wait. 
• the degree to which the HSC radiographer and radiologist workforces are sufficiently resourced, and what further steps are needed to strengthen them. 
• the degree to which the imaging capital equipment, crucial to service provision, is adequate to meet current demand, and what further steps are required in this area to meet future additional demand. 

We aim to publish in March 2025.