A national shortage of radiographers is hitting National Health Service waiting lists, and not enough graduates are being produced to fill the available posts, an expert at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen has warned, writes Olga Wojtas.
Donald Graham, director of radiography at RGU, said there was high demand for radiographers across the UK. All 17 students who recently graduated from RGU's BSc in diagnostic radiography had jobs lined up before they qualified, many with enhanced promotion prospects.
He said: "The lack of radiographers is causing bottlenecks within hospitals, resulting in delays in scans and X-rays. This in turn is delaying operations and tying up beds for longer periods than would normally be necessary."
The College of Radiographers is organising a radiography awareness week at the beginning of September to attract more students to the profession.
The radiography profession could benefit from more mature students who are looking for a career change, Dr Graham suggested.