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Radiography modernisation
Over the past three years radiography commissions have increased year on year and the skill mix programme, which initially focused on breast screening, has been extended to encompass radiotherapy and clinical imaging.
Radiography skills mix: a report on the four-tier service delivery model
Published: 03/06/2003
This report describes the national Radiography Services Skills Mix project. Radiography workforce issues have been identified as being critical, given: - the current world shortage of radiologists, oncologists and radiographers; - continuing expansion of cancer services to meet public expectations and government targets; - pressure from radiographers to develop effective career development pathways; - the drive for continuous improvement in the delivery of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The skills mix project was established to introduce and evaluate a new tiered service delivery model, designed to help address these needs.
Clinical Imaging Project: skill mix projects
Update February 2003
Much of the theoretical work to support this new model of clinical practice continues. Emphasis is being placed upon ensuring that there is a clear framework to align the occupational standards and the new roles, that each of the levels of practice are described and that the competence assessment mechanisms for all four tiers are designed. This will ensure that all outcomes required from the projects are reached in April 2003 to support new ways of working within radiotherapy, clinical imaging and breast screening.
Update October 2002
The three radiography projects are being overseen by Cancer Care Group Workforce team initiative and are being delivered through the Learning and Personal Development Division, Department of Health. The projects aim to expand the available workforce to deliver the service based on a four-tier career framework within radiography underpinned by Occupational Standards.
Partnership statement
From the Society of Radiographers, Royal College of Radiologists and the Department of Health (September 2002).
Royal College of Radiologists
The Royal College of Radiologists benefits patients, by encouraging the highest standards in the medical specialties of Clinical Radiology (diagnostic imaging) and Clinical Oncology (cancer treatment).
Society of Radiographers
The Society represents more than 90 per cent of the working radiographers in the UK. It is responsible for their professional, educational, public and workplace interests.
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