The Department for Health and Social Care has announced more than two million extra NHS appointments have been delivered ahead of schedule.
In its election manifesto, the Labour Party pledged to deliver two million additional NHS appointments each year before September 2025.
More than 100,000 extra appointments, including for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy and diagnostic tests, have been made per week, with waiting lists falling by almost 160,000 since the government took office, according to figures released this week (17 February) by NHS England.
However, the SoR has warned that demand is still increasing and that meeting capacity to match will require investment in the workforce.
'Dedication of frontline NHS staff'
Richard Evans, CEO of the SoR, said: ”The Society of Radiographers is delighted to hear that the government’s commitment to improving the NHS is bearing fruit.
“It’s a shame, however, that there appears to be no recognition from ministers that these impressive achievements are entirely down to the hard work and dedication of frontline NHS staff, including Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiographers, who conduct scans and plan and deliver radiotherapy for patients.”
Mr Evans explained there is a “chronic shortage” of radiographers, with the average vacancy rate for radiography at 15 per cent.
A recent survey of SoR members revealed 83 per cent could only fill their departmental roster with regular overtime shifts, because of staff shortages.
Moreover, two out of three radiographers – 65 per cent – have experienced burnout directly related to their work. This echoes concerns about high levels of sickness-related absence highlighted by Lord Darzi in his recent review of the NHS.
'Tangible investment in workforce'
“Demand is increasing, and the NHS simply does not have the capacity to meet it,” Mr Evans emphasised. ”We cannot expect the existing workforce to continue to pick up the slack. In the face of current staff shortages, there are simply no additional hours left to work safely.
“The SoR is ready to engage positively. We want to be part of the solution to the crisis in the NHS. But part of the solution also has to be tangible investment in workforce – including a salary that encourages new radiographers into the profession, rather than driving them away. Doctors, nurses and radiographers are vital to healing the NHS. ”
Today’s announcement comes ahead of plans to bring in wider NHS reforms through the government’s Elective Reform Plan, which seeks to cut waiting times and improve patient experience through greater access to Community Diagnostic Centres and 17 new or expanded surgical hubs.
'The road to recovery'
Prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Two million extra NHS appointments and a waiting list on its way down – we’re delivering on our promise to fix the NHS and make sure people get the care they need, when they need it.
“But we’re not complacent and we know the job isn’t done. We’re determined to go further and faster to deliver more appointments, faster treatment, and a National Health Service that the British public deserve as part of our Plan for Change.”
For trusts which have made the biggest leaps in reducing waiting lists, the government has announced an extra £40 million funding pot. The funding will be available for hospitals from next year to spend on capital projects such as new equipment or repairs to their estate.
Health and Social Care secretary Wes Streeting added: “We have wasted no time in getting to work to cut NHS waiting times and end the agony of millions of patients suffering uncertainty and pain.
“Because we ended the strikes, invested in the NHS, and rolled out reformed ways of working, we are finally putting the NHS on the road to recovery.”
(Image: Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)