That this House recognises the vital role played by resident and consultant radiologists and clinical oncologists in diagnostic imaging and cancer care across our NHS; pays tribute to the work that these doctors do to treat a variety of conditions from cancer to strokes as well as the leading role they are playing in the rollout of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence in our health service; is concerned by figures in the latest Royal College of Radiologists census reports which show a 29 percent shortfall of radiologists amounting to 1,953 doctors and a 15 percent shortfall of oncologists, which is 193 doctors, across the UK in 2024; understands that these shortfalls can cause delays in patients getting access to treatment and are forecast to grow as demand for diagnostics and cancer care increases; and acknowledges the urgent need to recruit, train and retain the staff needed to support patients and ensure that backlogs and waiting lists do not continue to expand.
