{
  "id": 17618593,
  "title": "Cancer patients 'deteriorating' due to staff shortages, radiologists warn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/cancer-patients-deteriorating-due-to-staff-shortages-radiologists-warn",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-01T14:49:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Health",
    "slug": "bbc-health",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmly0xle2rddo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cancer patients in Wales are facing worsening conditions due to a shortage of radiologists, according to the Royal College of Radiologists. The organization reports that Wales currently has 88 fewer radiologists than required, representing a 28% shortfall. For the first time, the Royal College has observed some patients' conditions deteriorating while awaiting diagnostic scans and tests. Radiologists specialize in using images to diagnose and manage medical conditions and diseases. One patient, Beverly Scott, diagnosed with ovarian and peritoneal cancer 14 years ago, stated that timely scans are crucial to preventing her cancer from spreading unnoticed. Despite being given five years to live initially, treatment has kept her condition stable. However, she fears the shortage of radiologists could threaten this stability, as delays could allow the cancer to spread further, rendering treatments ineffective. Another patient, Karen Jones, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and colon cancer subsequently, expressed immense anxiety about waiting for treatment results. North and west Wales are among the most affected areas, with a 42% shortfall in consultant radiologists, compared to 22% in south Wales. Betsi Cadwaladr health board, covering the affected regions, is actively recruiting in radiology and oncology departments and strengthening links with the North Wales Medical School to support future workforce development. Despite a significant increase in demand for imaging services, reporting times for scans and results have improved due to partnerships with third-party providers. However, the shortage of radiologists remains a primary concern, impacting patient care and staff well-being. Dr. Owen Nicholas, a consultant oncologist and chair of the Welsh committee for the Royal College of Radiologists, emphasized that the situation is not improving, and patients are now directly affected by the staffing shortages.",
  "summary": "North and west Wales have a 42% shortfall in consultant radiologists, compared to 22% in south Wales.",
  "key_points": [
    "Wales faces 28% shortage of radiologists, 88 fewer than required",
    "Patients' conditions deteriorating while awaiting diagnostic scans",
    "Betsi Cadwaladr health board recruiting in radiology and oncology"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}