Extended hours working in radiotherapy in the UK

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy Services
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• UK cancer centres often operate within standard 9 am to 5 pm working days.
• Extended working hours are being explored to manage capacity and patient flow.
• Radiotherapy departments face challenges in optimizing service delivery and resource utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze extended working hours patterns in UK cancer centres.
• To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of alternatives to the traditional 9-to-5 workday.
• To assess patient preferences for radiotherapy appointment scheduling.

Main Methods:

• Surveys were distributed to radiotherapy managers and physics managers regarding extended hours and machine servicing.
• Site visits were conducted in six departments utilizing extended hours.
• Patient questionnaires assessed preferences for out-of-hours appointments.

Main Results:

• 55% of radiotherapy departments reported using extended hours, mainly to reduce waiting lists.
• Extended hours were primarily staffed by radiographers, with limited interdisciplinary support.
• 35% of servicing and quality assurance work was scheduled outside normal hours.
• 29% of patients expressed willingness to attend appointments outside standard working hours.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a two-shift system, covering an 11.5-hour day, is a practical alternative to the standard workday.
• This model offers efficient use of radiographer resources.
• It aligns with patient preferences for flexible appointment scheduling.