(Image: Richard Evans)
In its three-year strategy for the profession, launched on Tuesday 1 April at an event in the Houses of Parliament, the Society of Radiographers will promise to “lead the way in designing patient-centred services and harnessing the power of technology and AI”.
Richard Evans, CEO of the SoR, said that the new three-year strategic framework, Vision for Our Profession, reflects the SoR’s ambition to help harness technological change – such as AI in healthcare – to meet patients’ needs quickly and with increased accuracy.
“Together, we can ensure that radiography continues to lead the way in transforming care, advancing technology, and improving patient outcomes,” he said.
“AI is already capable of extracting more information from X-ray images, meaning that patients require fewer examinations and receive earlier diagnosis.
“But it can do more. We anticipate AI being able to identify the need for further tests or interventions during the examination or treatment session, so that radiographers can ensure that patients are referred quickly and efficiently to the relevant next stage of treatment.”
While AI can speed up the process of reporting imaging results, there can be no imaging without an appropriately educated and trained radiography workforce – in fact, regulations require it.
“Radiography provides the foundation for accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and compassionate patient care,” said Mr Evans. “Every day, radiography professionals play a critical role in shaping the health and well-being of millions, ensuring that innovation and excellence are delivered where they matter most – at the point of care.”
Radiographers are vital to reducing NHS waiting lists. Nine out of 10 NHS patients are supported by a radiographer. From X-rays to MRI and CT scans, ultrasounds to breast screening to radiotherapy for cancer, doctors and nurses cannot do their jobs without a team of radiographers, sonographers and radiography assistants.
However, there is a chronic shortage of radiographers – the average vacancy rate for radiography is 15 per cent, which means that some departments’ vacancy rates are much higher.
Many radiographers say that brand new MRI and CT scanners in their departments stand idle for parts of the week, because they did not come with a budget for radiographers to deliver patient care.
“AI has the potential to increase efficiency and accuracy of patient diagnosis,” said Mr Evans. “We are keen to discuss with the government how radiographers can lead the implementation of AI to improve healthcare services – we are committed to helping to realise its potential, for ourselves and our patients.
“However, we also need to recognise that technology alone is not going to bring down NHS waiting lists. Even more than AI, doctors, nurses and radiographers are the key to the future of the NHS."