AQW 29030/22-27


Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 20/06/2025
Answered On Date: 07/07/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to outline any long-term workforce growth planning within (i) radiology; and (ii) oncology to meet the increasing demand.


Answer:
(i) Imaging services underpin the vast majority of hospital pathways and clinical specialties and my Department has invested significantly to grow the future imaging workforce in Northern Ireland. Commissioned radiology medical specialty training places have expanded from 37 (2015/16) to 55 places (2025/26) – a 49% increase.
As the local radiology training scheme is now at almost maximum capacity, my Department recognises that an innovative approach is required to meet future demand. Establishment of a multi-professional regional Imaging Academy is a strategic commitment for the Department and the longer-term solution to addressing current challenges in HSC imaging services. The Academy aims to provide a continuous supply of locally trained consultant radiologists (growing capacity to 100 training places) and advanced radiographer practitioners to address the increasing demand for imaging investigations and reduce reliance on costly outsourcing.
This will deliver an overall increase in imaging capacity within HSC, benefitting all clinical specialties and helping reduce excess waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment, as well as meeting the demands from unscheduled care.
A business case for the Academy is being developed by the Belfast HSC Trust. However, the development and any acceleration of it remains subject to business case approval and the identification of additional recurrent funding.
(ii) In terms of oncology, my Department is similarly aware of the need to expand the capacity of our existing workforce to meet demand and to train the next generation of oncology professionals.
My Department has no current plans to increase further the local clinical oncology medical specialty training programme. However, since 2019/20, a key priority of my Department is to address ongoing resilience issues regarding oncology and haematology services stabilisation and the delivery of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT).
By 2024/25, my Department invested a total of £10.8m across all five HSC Trusts for Oncology and Haematology Stabilisation Plans. This has funded 167.76 whole time equivalent (WTE) additional staff across a range of health professions, including 9.75 WTE oncology consultant posts. These will improve consultant capacity and skills mix in oncology and haemato-oncology services and will help to streamline pathways to reduce bottlenecks and expedite treatment initiation. HSC Trusts continue working to fill posts with ongoing recruitment strategies.
In addition, £2.5m recurrent funding has been identified in the 2025/26 Elective Care Framework Implementation and Funding Plan to help complete Oncology and Haematology Stabilisation Plans.