Internal Reference Number: FOI_8964
Date Request Received: 13/10/2025 00:00:00
Date Request Replied To: 20/11/2025 00:00:00
This response was sent via: By Email
Request Summary: Head and Neck Cancer Workforce Data
Request Category: Health
| Question Number 1: I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the workforce supporting head and neck cancer services within your NHS Trust. Specifically, I would like to request the following information, ideally as of the most recent available data (please state the date of data collection): Staffing Numbers Please provide the number of individuals currently working within the Trust in each of the following roles, where they are involved in the care of patients with head and neck cancer (even if this is part of a broader remit): 1. Consultant Clinical Oncologists 2. Consultant Medical Oncologists 3. Head and Neck Surgeons (e.g. ENT/OMFS/Plastics) 4. Consultant Radiologists (with a head and neck subspecialty, if available) 5. Therapeutic Radiographers 6. Diagnostic Radiographers 7. Histopathologists/Pathologists 8. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) 9. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) specialising in Head and Neck Cancer 10. Dietitians supporting Head and Neck Cancer patients 11. Psychologists or Counsellors providing support to Head and Neck Cancer patients 12. Maxillofacial Prosthetists or Technologists 13. MDT Coordinators | |
| Answer To Question 1: 1. Consultant Clinical Oncologists in SFT 0 2. Consultant Medical Oncologists in SFT 0 3. Head and Neck Surgeons (e.g. ENT/OMFS/Plastics) 1 OMFS from UHS 0.2 WTE -out patient clinics only 1 OMFS Surgeon outpatient clinics with some non malignant operating as part of a broad OMFS case mix 1 OMFS surgeon WTE vacancy, for skin, head and neck clinics and non malignant operating 4 ENT Surgeons and 1 locum, (3 involved in Head and Neck, clinics, diagnostic and non malignant operating) 4. Consultant Radiologists (with a head and neck subspecialty, if available) 14 permanent consultant radiologists including 0.6WTE Head and Neck specialty interest, and 2 locum radiologists. 5. Therapeutic Radiographers 0 6. Diagnostic Radiographers 64 radiographers in total, including 4 Head and Neck Sonographers 7. Histopathologists/Pathologists 4.5 WTE (includes 2 with Head and Neck Specialists, 5 people) 8. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) 1 x SaLT but only 0.04 WTE 9. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) specialising in Head and Neck Cancer 1.0WTE 10. Dietitians supporting Head and Neck Cancer patients 1 dietitian supports H&N patients. 11. Psychologists or Counsellors providing support to Head and Neck Cancer patients Psychologists/ counsellors: Permanent staffing: 1.6 WTE. 12. Maxillofacial Prosthetists or Technologists 2 WTE 13. MDT Coordinators 0.7 WTE MDT co-ordinator (tracking patients from the point of referral to treatment) and 1.0 WTE Cancer Pathway Navigator (supporting patients from referral to diagnosis) | |
| Question Number 2: Workforce Capacity Details For each of the above roles, where available, please also include: 鈥� Number of Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) posts 鈥� Number of current vacancies (both WTE and headcount) 鈥� Any known workforce planning or succession data, such as: o Anticipated retirements in the next 5 years o Recruitment challenges specific to these roles | |
| Answer To Question 2: 1 x Dietitian providing 4 hrs /week (0.11 WTE). Histopathologist- 5.45 WTE posts in budget, 0.95 WTE vacancy. National shortage of histopathologists, most histology labs in the country have vacancies and using outsourcing companies. Psychology: Temporary staffing: 1 WTE. This post is due to end in October 2026. These posts cover all cancer sites, there is no designated resource for specific sites. Recruitment Challenges: Our aim is to get the temporary post made substantive over the next year but are not yet sure if this is financially viable. Speech & Language: 0.04 wte and due to retire in next 5 years. So this would be a recruitment challenge when future vacancy Head & Neck WTE as per Q1. There are likely to be surgeon retirements within the next five years but the succession plan is complex and dependent on a multitude of strategic factors. Recruitment challenges definitely linked to the requirement for OMFS consultants to have dual medical and dental qualifications and there is a well documented national shortage of these clinicians. | |
| Question Number 3: Service Context If applicable, please also indicate: 鈥� The hospitals or trusts within your Alliance where head and neck cancer services are provided 鈥� Whether head and neck services are centralised or provided across multiple MDTs | |
| Answer To Question 3: Speech & Language: Link with SaLT team in Southampton NHC MDT. No specialist SaLT role for HNC at SFT Head and Neck Cancer services links closely with UHS, although MDT is held locally. | |
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