Ultrasound workforce survey

A SURVEY to establish how many healthcare science professionals work in ultrasound is being conducted the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

The aim is to try and capture everyone who works in ultrasound, no matter how small a percentage of their time they spend doing it and it is open for responses until 10 March.

It is looking to ascertain establishment and vacancies within ultrasound physics, and asks how many Clinical Scientists, clinical technologists, and any other staff that work in ultrasound, broken down by Whole Time Equivalence and Agenda for Change banding.

It is also seeking opinions on staffing levels and what is seen as a desirable staffing level to deliver a comprehensive service and training provision.

Calls for evidence

Dr Jemimah Eve, IPEM’s Head of Workforce Intelligence and Training, said: ‘We recently completed a diagnostic radiology workforce survey, which achieved a response rate of 97%, a MRI workforce survey with a response rate of 83% and a laser survey, which had more than 30 departments respond to it and we would love to achieve similar success for ultrasound.

‘We use this data to respond to government and policy makers calls for evidence and to lobby for improvements in training and education. In the past, this kind of data has been instrumental in adding roles, where appropriate, to the National Shortage Occupation List (NSOL) and has assisted members with making cases for improved provisions.’

The initial results from this survey will be presented by Matthew Dunn, IPEM’s Vice President Medical Physics, and Dr Eve at a one-day in-person Ultrasound Update event at the St George’s Centre in Leeds on 14 March. The conference is still open for bookings.