The U.K. government announced on 27 September it will provide 200 million pounds (225 million euros) in funding to replace outdated scanners at hospitals across England.
RCR President Dr. Jeanette Dickson.Showing its commitment to improving cancer detection rates, which is a key focus of the National Health Service (NHS) England Long Term Plan, the government announced the money will be used to buy new CT, MRI, and mammography scanners. Hospitals can access the money during the next two years, according to the announcement.
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) welcomed the funding pledge but emphasized that hospitals need more radiologists to interpret scans to accommodate the increase in imaging equipment.
Increases in scans are likely to require more support staff to look after patients before, during, and after procedures, said RCR President Dr. Jeanette Dickson. She also noted English hospitals already experience a shortage in radiologists, with about one-tenth of positions remaining unfilled.
