Nuclear Medicine Workforce Survey Report

In late 2023, IPEM’s Workforce Intelligence Unit conducted a survey on the Nuclear Medicine workforce.
The purpose of the survey was to provide an in-depth analysis of current workforce issues, with future projections and recommendations to tackle workforce shortages.

We measured a workforce size of slightly over 1000 WTE (1091.1). The real value is probably closer to 1800.

Our findings show that

• Around 12% of all Nuclear Medicine posts are vacant
• To run safe and effective Nuclear Medicine services, the number of Medical Physics Support staff needs to increase by 58%
• The number of Medical Physics Experts needs to increase by 120%

To address these concerns IPEM recommends

• Increase support for training:
• Funding for commissioned training programmes
• Funding for individual Trusts to create training posts, achieved by lobbying influential institutions
• Improve efficiency of the MPE recognition process, to increase the number of suitable candidates for experienced posts
• Increase support for overseas recruitment:
• Improve the current process for assessment of equivalence
• Funding support for visa costs incurred by Trusts

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Download the full Nuclear Medicine Workforce Survey Report