What plans does the Welsh Government have to increase specialty training places for clinical radiology and clinical oncology to avoid the projected shortfall of 38 per cent and 28 per cent respectively by 2028?
The Welsh Government has provided funding to commission a significant increase in training posts in both Clinical Radiology and Clinical Oncology to meet future needs of NHS Wales and mitigate projected shortfalls.
Clinical radiology
Between August 2017 and August 2023 an additional 62 training places were established and recruited to in the clinical radiology programme. This more than doubled the size of the programme taking Wales to its current training capacity limits.
Recruitment into clinical radiology has achieved 100% fill rates for the last 3 years.
Projections currently indicate that 88 trainees should complete their training in radiology between May 2023 and August 2028 and be eligible for consultant roles in Wales.
Clinical oncology
Between August 2021 and August 2023 an additional 12 training places were created and recruited to in the clinical oncology programme more than doubling the programme in size.
Recruitment into clinical oncology has been challenging across the UK in recent years with a fill rate of 67% for Wales in 2023 and 50% in 2024. This has resulted in a slower expansion than desired, but it continues to be a priority area for Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), with ongoing work looking at approaches to improve recruitment.
Projections currently indicate that 19 trainees should complete their training in clinical oncology between May 2023 and August 2028 and be eligible for consultant roles in Wales.
In relation to ensuring hospital trusts have sufficient funding to maintain and expand the number of training places they offer for clinical oncology and clinical radiology; the Welsh Government provide funding for postgraduate medical training posts. This includes salary costs and additional costs to support training such as study leave and funding for courses.
HEIW submit an annual Education and Training Commissioning Plan providing the Welsh Government with recommendations on any increase in post numbers based on projected population need.