IPEM Welcomes Darzi NHS Review and is Ready to Help the Government Take Action

The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) has welcomed the Darzi Investigation into the state of the NHS and the Government’s promise to act on its findings. IPEM’s Manifesto for the Future of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering offers tangible actions that the Government can take to address the challenges faced by this vital part of the NHS.

Phil Morgan, Chief Executive of IPEM, said:

Lord Darzi has recognized the importance of investing in new technology and IPEM welcomes the Government’s commitment to increase scanner capacity, but the Government must also invest in the workforce to operate and maintain them safely and efficiently. Despite the overall narrative around this report that staff levels have increased in the NHS, in Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering there is an overall vacancy rate of 10% in existing posts, which are themselves below the recommended staffing levels, which has serious implications for patient safety.

AI and new technology can also offer significant benefits for patients and staff and IPEM is calling on Ministers to bring together the professionals with the expertise necessary to create a framework for its ethical and effective use for the benefit of the NHS. Medical Physicists and Clinical Engineers are a vital part of that conversation.”

IPEM is ready to work with the Government to deliver its ambitions for the NHS, in which Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering plays an essential part.”

IPEM’s Manifesto for the Future of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering was compiled with the support of professionals in the sector.

It contains five key asks for the new Government:

• address the medical physics and clinical engineering workforce crisis
• introduce statutory registration for clinical technologists
• create the capacity for UK generation of medical radionuclides
• ensure AI is deployed in the interests of patients
• ensure environmental sustainability for future generations by investing in the long term.