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Written question asked by Helen Hayes (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 June 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 July 2022. It was answered by Maria Caulfield (Conservative) on Friday, 15 July 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Cancer: Health Professions

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the finding set out in the Clinical oncology census report 2021 that there is a 17 per cent. shortfall of clinical oncologists.

Answer

As of March 2022, there were 5,081 full time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the National Health Service in the specialism of clinical radiology - an increase of 57.4% since March 2010. There were 1,501 FTE doctors in the specialism of clinical oncology or an increase of 46.9% since March 2010. This includes doctors in training, specialists and doctors on other contracts. Data on the number of interventional radiologists is not held centrally.

The Department has commissioned Health Education England review the long-term workforce demand and supply. In addition, we have asked NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The outcomes will be available in due course. Officials are currently analysing the responses received to the call for evidence to develop the forthcoming 10 Year Cancer Plan. The Plan will set out how we will ensure that the appropriate workforce is in place to support all cancer patients.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
27672
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Cancer Health professions Vacancies
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk