PenRAD Imaging Network newsletter
December 2025
Welcome
Welcome to the latest edition of the PenRAD newsletter.
The PenRAD team have been very busy during the autumn. In addition to hosting our annual meeting (see below), there has been increased scrutiny and assessment for all networks from NHS England and GIRFT.
All imaging networks are tasked with being self sustainable financially from April 2026 and PenRAD are very well-positioned to achieve this through a combination of cost-savings from existing projects, and funding received for specific digital and operational projects.
PenRAD are one of only a few networks in such a healthy position and much of this is due to the developments we have been able to make, given our shared digital infrastructure (RIS and PACs).
2026 will be a big year of change digitally as electronic patient records (EPRs) are rolled out across Devon and Cornwall. Unfortunately, this will lead to some digital divergence and maintaining and improving our collaboration will be a challenge.
In the current financial climate, the performance of all our trusts to just about keep up with the inexorable rise in demand is admirable.
Many thanks to everyone who supports PenRAD and we wish you all well, whatever celebrations you have planned during the festive season.
Annual meeting and SIRP learning event and celebration
It was great to welcome imaging colleagues from across the peninsula for our third annual meeting at Roadford Lake on 6 November. Over 70 people attended, for what was a lively event covering topics including updates from NHS England, GIRFT, Intelerad, and PenRAD, plus a session on artificial intelligence and a special learning and celebration event for the Shared Insourced Reporting Programme in the afternoon.
We are extremely grateful to have been joined by many guest speakers including (pictured presenting above): James Dennis, National Deputy Director, Imaging Transformation, and James Cook, National Director for Diagnostics, NHS England.
South West Radiography Team of the Year
Congratulations to the Peninsula Quality, Governance & Service Improvement Team, who have won the South West Radiography Team of the Year 2025 at the Society of Radiographers annual awards.
The team consists of colleagues from across the four peninsula trusts. They were recognised for their achievements in working collaboratively, sharing expertise, and optimizing individual knowledge and skills for the collective and greater good.
Pictured above receiving the award (second left) is Marie Morgan, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH) East Imaging Quality & Accreditation Lead, from (left to right) Sally Edgington, Chief Executive Officer of AXREM, Rob Emery Regional Director at Philips, and Katie Thompson, President of the Society of Radiographers.
PROC team moves to central cloud solution
A major improvement is underway for the Peninsula Radiology On-Call (PROC) service. The team will soon access scans and images through a central cloud solution from provider Intelerad, replacing the current cumbersome process of logging into multiple PACS systems across five sites.
The full roll-out is expected in February. The upgrade will significantly improve speed, reliability, and user experience for overnight on-call radiology reviews, ensuring better patient care across the region.
Shared Insourced Reporting
The Shared Insourced Reporting Programme (SIRP) continues to grow, with 65 reporters now signed up.
At our annual event, we held an afternoon dedicated to sharing learning from the scheme so far, including a short REALM session.
We also presented the findings from our survey of SIRP reporters. They highly rated their experience with digital reporting, and the pledging and allocation mechanism. They wanted to see continued IT integration in the region, an off-payroll solution implemented, and to ensure that rates remain competitive.
Here is some of the feedback from SIRP reporters on their experience compared with outsourcing companies:
‘More seamless and hassle free.'
'The admin support for the invoicing etc. for SIRP is excellent.'
SIRP much more convenient than working for an outsourced company.'
I prefer the work that I do for PenRAD because I feel that I am reporting the patients in our area and because I have control over the amount and type of scans.'
SIRP is managed on behalf of the four trusts in the Devon and Cornwall peninsula by the PenRAD Imaging Network. Its aim is to reduce the use of outsourcing companies, by engaging Radiologists already working in the region to carry out additional work at their trust and allows for cross-site reporting at preferable rates for trusts and radiologists alike. This means that the programme can offer Radiologists favourable rates too.
Workforce update
Support workforce study day
Support workers are invited to attend a bespoke study day on 5 March 2026. The day will be particularly suitable for Band 2-4 clinical and non-clinical support staff, working in cancer and diagnostics, region-wide.
The day will include training such as: how to communicate effectively in challenging situations, help in gaining confidence to raise and resolve concerns, ways to navigate your career pathway with purpose, and support from mentors in clinical practice.
Speakers confirmed so far include:
- Katie Thompson, President, Society of Radiographers (SoR)
- Sue Johnson, Professional Officer (Clinical Imaging), SoR
- Jane Bunce, Workforce Supply Senior Manager, NHS England South West
- Andy Garner, Oncology Lead Educator
The study day will take place at the South West Imaging Training Academy (SWITA), Plymouth. To express your interest, complete the short form here:
Discovering scientific careers in healthcare
We’re excited for the final two career events in this year’s ‘Discover Diagnostics’ series.
We’ve had a great response to our first two events at SWITA in Plymouth and the Horizon Centre at Torbay Hospital.
The final two events are as follows:
- Saturday 24 January 2026: University of Exeter - Morning session / Afternoon session
- Saturday 28 February: Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro (details tbc)
Click the links for more details and to book a place.
These events are aimed at those who want to find out more about scientific careers in healthcare. Held in collaboration with hospital trusts, they offer the opportunity to meet and chat with a range of healthcare colleagues, take part in interactive workshops and discover more about the careers on offer.
> Read more about our Discover Diagnostics events
A celebration of radiography
Congratulations to all the imaging staff and teams who have been recognised in the South West as part of our celebration, together with West of England imaging network, of World Radiography Day on 8 November and Allied Health Professions (AHPs) Day in October.
We received many nominations for those who go the extra mile, work well with patients, or just have a positive can-do attitude! Well done to you all and thank you to everyone who took time to highlight the excellent work of colleagues and teams in our midst, and to everyone in the peninsula who helps deliver high-quality care for patients.
MRI safety in the spotlight
Colleagues from across the South West met in Taunton in November for a face-to-face MRI safety meeting.
New online learning platform launched
South West Imaging Training Academy (SWITA) has launched an online learning platform. This is an amazing resource for everyone to use, which provides access to a wide range of modality specific materials, online courses, upcoming events, and recordings of sessions already delivered.
Meet the team
Charlotte Parkes, Workforce Project Manager
Hi, I’m Charlotte. I'm the workforce project manager for the Peninsula Imaging Network. I focus on developing and strengthening the diagnostic imaging workforce - attracting people into imaging careers, supporting education and development, and co-ordinating workforce projects across the peninsula.
The part I love about my role is the networking - meeting people from all parts of the system and learning from them.
It's energising seeing people come together, talk openly about what is and isn't working, and watch ideas evolve. Working alongside such a committed imaging workforce is genuinely inspiring and being able to support that in any small way is a real privilege.
Data update
Workforce
National Imaging Data Collection 2024/25 workforce information has been shared with imaging leads. Across the network, there has been a reduction of 12.41 FTE Agenda for Change (AfC) imaging staff: 1,092.9 FTE in 2023/4 and 1,080.49 FTE in 2024/25.
The average AfC vacancy rate is 11% with vacancy hot spots in the B2 and B5 workforce.
Positively there has been an increase of 8 Consultant Radiologists to 159 headcount, 138.46 FTE with a vacancy rate of 3.54%.
Work continues with modality leads to secure more detail on the CT, MRI and nuclear medicine workforce.
Activity
| Total demand | Total activity | |
|---|---|---|
 +4% |
+5% |
|
| 12 months to date | 1,735,449 | 1,556,763 |
| Previous 12 months | 1,668,890 | 1,489,698 |
The selected data above is for all four PenRAD trusts in the year to date (end August 2025).
Outpatient and GP data
| Urgency | Sept-Aug 2024 | Sept-Aug 2025 | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-week wait (2-week target) | 85.17% | 83.16% | -2.0% |
| Urgent (6-week target) | 90.29% | 87.63% | -2.7% |
| Routine (6-week target) | 77.84% | 78.32% | +0.5% |
| Urgency | Sept-Aug 2024 | Sept-Aug 2025 | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-week wait (2-week target) | 79.18% | 80.32% | +1.1% |
| Urgent (5-day target) | 83.07% | 83.86% | +0.8% |
| Routine (14-day target) | 97.26% | 97.32% | +0.1% |
The PenRAD BI dashboard is now live, providing the network with access to monthly data for requests, activity, and reporting. Access to the BI report can be requested here. Users can also access the mobile-friendly version of the report using the Power BI app on Android/iOS.
