Radiologist took two years to take up post

The radiologist was appointed in early 2008 when pressure was building but did not take up the post until August 2010 when the full scale of the disastrous 18,500 backlog was becoming clear.

Equally, the Trust didn’t advertise for any more radiologists between April 2008 - when it tried to recruit five X-ray specialists and filled three posts immediately - and December 2009 - two months before the backlog was at its peak and the complement of permanent radiologists at Altnagelvin was just seven. This was ten fewer than what a top Harley Street radiologist reckoned a 21st century hospital should have in a review of the local service conducted last November.

A spokesperson for the Western Trust told the Sentinel yesterday there were four advertisements for radiology posts at Altnagelvin over the past 2.5 years.

Four radiologists were appointed in April 2008 in anticipation of the loss of the two specialists but one of these staff didn’t take up their post for over two years.

A subsequent advertisement for three radiologists in December 2009 resulted in two appointments but one of these candidates withdrew from the post.

The next advertisements occurred after the full extent of the situation was discovered in July 2010 in which month one post was successfully filled and in September 2010, at which time one post was not successfully filled.

The Trust was reliant on locum doctors to approach its desired complement of 13.5 filled radiology posts and by February 2010 was down to just 7 permanent staff.

The Sentinel asked if £9m in efficiency savings aimed at acute services in the Western Trust in the Comprehensive Spending Review CSR 2009-11 had any effect on radiology at Altnagelvin. The Trust said the CSR had no impact.

In answer to our questions after revelations that there was a backlog of 18,500 X-rays, and that four people had subsequently been given cancer diagnoses, a spokesperson for the Western Trust said: “The Trust advertised for five radiology posts in April 2008 including the replacement of two radiologists planning to retire in June/July 2008. As a result of this recruitment exercise there were four permanent appointments. However, one of those appointed did not take up post until August 2010.

“In December 2009 three radiologist posts were advertised. Two candidates were appointed, one of whom later withdrew. In July 2010, the Trust advertised one permanent consultant radiologist post and made one appointment.

“In September 2010, the Trust advertised a permanent radiology post and had no applicants. The Trust has been experiencing major difficulties in recruiting to consultant radiologist posts.”

Chief Executive of the Trust Elaine Way and Health and Social Care Board boss John Compton told the Stormont Health Committee last Thursday the X-ray debacle had occurred at a time when there were difficulties recruiting radiologists nationally.

The spokesperson explained: “Recruitment has been taking place at a time of a national shortage of radiologists. The Trust has been engaging the services of locum radiologists since 2008 in an attempt to deal with the gaps due to these unfilled vacancies.

“At February 2010 there were seven permanent radiologists in post. This description shows the pressures on the Trust being able to sustain a permanent workforce and that although Elaine Way stated at the Health Committee that there were seven whole time equivalent permanent radiologists at one point, she also added that three locum radiologists were in post at that time. There were no CSR savings made from within the consultant radiologists’ budget.”