Read the 2025 clinical radiology census report
State of the workforce
Thanks to the insights shared by departments across the UK, our census provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of the clinical radiology and clinical oncology workforce available today. It gives us the evidence we need to represent the specialties and advocate for change.
2025 Census Reports
The 2025 census highlights the continuing pressures facing services. While workforce shortages remain a challenge nationally, the findings also show that some areas are experiencing these pressures more acutely than others, particularly in smaller, rural and under-resourced services.
The report explores the impact these pressures are having on patient care, training and workforce sustainability, and sets out recommendations to help build stronger workforces for the future.
Key takeaways
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Demand for complex imaging is growing twice as fast as the clinical radiology workforce.
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Cancer leaders reporting delays to patients starting radiotherapy or SACT due to staff shortages
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Spent on outsourcing, insourcing and locums last year to meet excess demand in radiology.
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Double the number of cancer centres experienced a recruitment freeze in 2025 compared to 2024
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Clinical radiology consultants are forecast to retire by 2035
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The NHS could save up to £120m by training up 10% more radiologists per year and 10 more clinical oncology consultants per year.
How we use the data to help our Fellows and members
Our census covers 100% of UK cancer centres and radiology departments, making it one of the most credible sources of information about our specialties.
We use these insights to ensure that our conversations with government, policymakers and NHS leaders reflect the realities facing radiology services.
The findings inform discussions in parliament, the media and across the healthcare sector. We have received national coverage, including on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, Sky News and LBC, as well as in publications including The Telegraph and the Mirror.
The findings are also shared with local departments to support workforce planning, service development and business cases.
It helps shape our campaigning, ensuring what we’re saying to government accurately reflects the on-the-ground reality.
Read our press release
In the press
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TV and radio interviews
Policy briefings
This year we have published four separate census briefings which outline the headline figures in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. These briefings reveal unique workforce challenges in each of the four UK nations and propose recommendations that will help address them.
Read the reports
