Annette Brooke Challenges Prime Minster on Shortage of Radiographers in NHS

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Nov 2003

Securing Question number 2 in Prime Minister's Questions today, Annette Brooke challenged the Prime Minister directly on the shortage of Radiographers and Radiologists in the NHS.

Annette Brooke has taken up the case of a constituent who raised with the MP her grave concern about the length of time patients are having to wait for radiotherapy after cancer diagnosis and surgery.

Annette Brooke asked the Prime Minister:

"Is the Prime Minister aware of cases like that of my constituent who had surgery for Breast Cancer on July 9th but was unable to start radiotherapy treatment until the end of October.

"Does the current shortage of radiographers reflect a lack of joined up action by the Government? Is the Prime Minister concerned about the national shortage of radiographers?"

The Prime Minister said he was sorry to learn about the particular case and acknowledged that there was a shortage of radiographers nationally. He accepted that there was more to do in the area of cancer care, but outlined some recent improvements, including increasing the number of training places for radiographers. Compared to 6-7 years ago, the Prime Minister said treatment and waiting times for cancer care had improved, though Mrs. Brooke believes that for radiotherapy, waiting times have not reduced.

Following the representation by her constituent, Annette Brooke MP wrote to Poole Hospital NHS Trust and subsequently the expected waiting time of 12 weeks was reduced to 7 weeks.

Poole Hospital NHS Trust has acknowledged that there is a severe national shortage of therapy radiographers and that attempts are being made locally to improve recruitment and retention. While waiting lists are too long, the hospital admitted that they have nevertheless improved.

The Royal College of Radiologists published a report only last month outlining the seriousness of the shortages in equipment and staffing for radiotherapy. The report confirms that despite investment, results continue to fall short of the targets set by the National Cancer Plan in 1998 and that investment has been insufficient to keep pace with demand.