Nuclear Medicine Technologists Can be Recruited from Overseas.... 

A recent survey by the British Nuclear Medicine Society has found that 6.5% of all nuclear medicine technologist posts are unfilled for over 6 months, similar to Radiographers who perform similar work in radiology departments and who are on the “Shortage Occupation List”. In addition, at present 27% of post holders are non-UK citizens double the rate found throughout the NHS as a whole according to the Migration Advisory Committee report of September 2020.

According to our survey training numbers are presently keeping up with expected retirements but until such time as training numbers can be increased in the medium term there are insufficient UK trained nuclear medicine technologists to cover the expected expansion in PET/CT which is increasing by 18.7% as stated in the DHSC Richard’s report of December 2020. Furthermore, we will need to replace any overseas nuclear medicine technologists who may choose to leave the UK.

Therefore, Dr John Buscombe, President and Dr Chris Mayes, RTNG Chair, wrote to the Home Office to ask for nuclear medicine technologists to be added to the shortage occupation lists until such time as the Departments of Health and Social Care and Education are able to deliver the required number of British trained nuclear medicine technologists needed to provide the required level of service.

A response was received from Mr Kevin Foster MP, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration stating that if they work for the NHS and get more than £20,000 per year they can be recruited from abroad.

Mr Kevin Foster's response can be found here

If you have problems recruiting from overseas for technologists in your trust, you should send this letter from Mr Kevin Foster Minister for Future Borders and Immigration to your HR department to support your request.