Commenting on a warning from the Royal College of Radiologists on the workforce crisis at the heart of Welsh cancer care, Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister said:
“The Royal College of Radiologists is right, Wales’ cancer crisis is worsening, with critical care shortages, diminishing outcomes and Labour Welsh Government inaction.
“Labour has run the health service in Wales for 25 years and they’re the only government to have ever cut a health budget, not once, not twice, but three times. As a result, barely half of cancer patients start receiving treatment within the target time.
“Only the Welsh Conservatives are offering a bold alternative, with a substantial workforce plan to boost recruitment and retention, including a tuition fee refund for radiologists, oncologists and all healthcare workers that stay and work in Wales after their studies.”
Royal College of Radiologists’ release…
Welsh Cancer Care in Peril as Workforce Crisis Escalates, Warns Royal College of Radiologists
The stark reality of the workforce crisis laid bare in two new reports.
Key findings from the reports include:
- Impending Crisis: Wales is deep in a workforce crisis, with a staggering 34% shortfall in clinical radiologists and a 12% shortfall in clinical oncologists. If immediate action is not taken, the workforce shortfalls in clinical radiology and clinical oncology are projected to rise to 28% and 38%, respectively, by 2028 – the largest shortfall in all four nations. Almost a quarter (24%) of clinical oncology consultants in Wales are forecast to retire over the next five years, higher than the UK average of 18%. Trainees make up 29% of Wales’s clinical oncology workforce, compared to the UK average of 32%.
- Critical Shortage of Radiologists in Wales Threatens Patient Safety: Delays in test results and treatment initiation are now routine in Wales, which has only 6.1 radiologists per 100,000 people—the lowest of the four nations. All clinical directors in Wales report insufficient clinical radiologists to ensure safe and effective patient care. Every cancer centre in Wales faces routine delays in starting treatment and struggles to manage increasing demand with the current workforce, relying on goodwill, insourcing, and locums to cope. Any delay is critical for cancer patients, as every month delay in cancer treatment raises the risk of death by around 10%.
- Government Inaction: One year into the Cancer Improvement Plan for Wales, the reports highlight a critical failure to address the worsening workforce crisis. Insufficient training and retention efforts have exacerbated shortages, leaving hospitals struggling to meet patient demand. This is one of the most pressing challenges all governments across the UK must address, and it is imperative that they get it right.
- Regional Inequalities in Cancer Care Across Wales: Patients in Wales face unequal access to cancer specialists, with rural areas suffering the most. In South West Wales, there are 7.4 clinical oncologists per 100,000 older residents, and South East Wales has 6.6. However, North Wales lags with just 5.3. North and West Wales experience the UK’s largest shortage of clinical radiologists, with London having twice as many radiologists per 100,000 people. This disparity means that patients in certain regions receive imaging test results and start cancer treatment much faster than those in others, leading to significant delays and increased anxiety for many.
“I can no longer defend the NHS as an exemplary healthcare system. We are all failing and in so doing failing our patients” – Anonymous Consultant
A Call to Action
The RCR has written to the cabinet secretary warning that without immediate intervention, the Wales risks undoing decades of progress in cancer care. They are demanding urgent investment in workforce development to ensure patients aren’t left waiting for a diagnosis and can begin lifesaving treatment as soon as possible. Furthermore, they are calling on whoever forms the next government to work with the NHS to spell out how they intend to Recruit, Train and Retain clinical oncologists and radiologists ensuring the stability and strength of the workforce for future generations.
Dr Katharine Halliday, RCR President, said:
‘Today’s reports lay bare a harsh reality: the crisis in Wales’ radiology and oncology workforce is jeopardising patient health. Despite our commitment to providing the best care, severe staff shortages are significantly impeding our efforts. We simply do not have enough doctors to safely manage the growing number of patients, and this issue will worsen as demand rises and more doctors leave the NHS. The immense strain on an overburdened system, coupled with exhausted staff and increasing demand, creates a toxic mix for the healthcare system in Wales.
‘Urgent action from the governments of all four nations is essential. We must prioritise recruiting and training more doctors and implement strategies to retain our current workforce. Time is critical; doctors are working under extreme stress and are deeply concerned for their patients. We’re calling on the governments of all four nations to reset the system, save our NHS, and ensure that patients receive the quality care they deserve.’
