Home / Health / UK Radiology Crisis: Patient Harm Feared
UK Radiology Crisis: Patient Harm Feared
18 Jun
Summary
- Eight in 10 radiology leaders cite worsening patient conditions due to staff shortages.
- Nine in 10 cancer leaders report delays to critical treatments.
- The UK needs over 2,300 more radiologists and 230 more oncologists.
The UK faces a critical staffing shortage in radiology and cancer care, raising alarms about patient safety and treatment delays. Research from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) indicates that eight in 10 radiology leaders and half of cancer leaders believe staff shortages are negatively impacting patient conditions.
These workforce deficits are causing significant delays, with nine in 10 cancer leaders reporting that patients are waiting longer to begin essential treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The RCR highlights that the UK is short by over 2,300 radiologists and 230 clinical oncologists, with these figures worsening since 2024.
Recruitment freezes have doubled in the past year, exacerbating the problem. To cope, the NHS spent a record £362 million in 2025 on outsourcing, overtime, and agency staff, raising concerns about the quality of care and reports. Leaders warn that without urgent action to recruit and retain doctors, patient harm will increase, particularly in deprived and rural areas where shortages are most acute.
