To ask the Minister of Health for an update on plans to address the shortages across the diagnostic workforce, notably radiologists, gastroenterologists and endoscopists.

My Department is taking forward two major initiatives which will address shortages in the diagnostic workforce. The Strategic Framework for Imaging Services in Health and Social Care (May 2018) provides the vision for the future configuration of imaging services, ensuring that Northern Ireland continues to deliver high quality health care services and stays at the forefront of technological advances in medical imaging. Of the Framework’s 19 recommendations, three focus on strengthening the workforce, including radiologists and radiographers. The Department is in the process of establishing a Medical Imaging Board which will oversee the implementation of these recommendations, including a coordinated regional approach to addressing the current challenges in the radiology and radiography workforce.

In 2019, co-production work began on the development of the 10 year Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy. The Strategy is being developed with policy makers, health representatives and charities all actively working on its development. The Project Steering Group is chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer and is supported by 7 sub-groups, each sub-group is considering issues relating to different areas of cancer. Workforce issues, including the diagnostic workforce, is a key area underpinning all specific operational areas. While Covid-19 has had an unavoidable impact on this work I anticipate that the draft Strategy, including workforce proposals, will be available for consultation before the end of this year.

All of these workforce actions will align with the Health and Social Care Workforce Strategy 2026 – Delivering for Our People.