Background.

• 95% patients have diagnostic imaging during hospital stay in England.
• 31% shortfall consultant radiologists in England 2023, predicted 41% by 2028 [1]. 
• 9.9 radiologists/100,000 population in England compared to 12.8/100,000 (OECD average) [1]. 
• Waiting times for imaging are long; urgent scan waits sometimes >8 months [1].
• Timely issue of reports is important. Figure 1 shows figures for diagnostic bottlenck [1].
• Delayed issue of reports > poorer health outcomes [1].
• Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) stated  the number of departmental reports expected on average over a "six-month minimum period per in-hours on-site non-acute four-hour reporting session in the NHS for PFI was 80" examinations [2].
• £174 million  is being spent in UK on outsourcing reporting to non-NHS organisations and other countries; very expensive, lacks efficiency and raises issues about patient safety with errors/discrepancies [1].
• Capacity of radiologists does not meet increasing demand for imaging service delivery. Alternate, transformational workforce model needed:           

                        - Radiographers have been effectively reporting PFI examinations for decades [3], which can improve efficiency/effectiveness/patient outcomes through timely reporting.

                        - Richard's Report October 2020  stated 50% PFI in UK should by reported by RRs by 2025 [4].

Methods.

• Mixed-methods questionnaire study circulated to Radiology Service Managers in 24 NHS hospitals in NWE; data collected between 1st April 2022>31st March 2023.  Quantitative/qualitative data were analysed and themed.