The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) today forecasts a significant radiation oncology workforce shortfall in New Zealand that will fail to cope with rising cancer diagnoses at a key-note presentation of the New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting 2022.The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) today forecasts a significant radiation oncology workforce shortfall in New Zealand that will fail to cope with rising cancer diagnoses at a key-note presentation of the New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting 2022.

About 25,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer each year, which is expected to increase as the population ages. This first-ever study forecasts that New Zealand will need 85 radiation oncologists in 2031 if it maintains the current treatment level while only 69 radiation oncologists are currently practising, and that New Zealand will need 129 radiation oncologists by 2031 if it aims to achieve the level of radiation oncology services comparable to Australia. It also predicts a sharp decrease in the availability of radiation oncologists. Radiation oncologists are under great pressure, working longer clinical hours than ever. Cancer patients are already experiencing significant waiting time and delay for radiation therapy treatment.