Support & wellbeing
of Clinical Directors & Heads of Service are concerned about morale
of Cancer centre leaders are worried about doctors' wellbeing
The RCR’s 2023 Workforce Censuses for Clinical Radiology and Clinical Oncology highlighted that 100% of clinical directors/heads of service are concerned about the impact of workforce shortages on workforce morale and burnout and 100% of cancer centre leaders are worried about doctors' wellbeing, burnout and capacity for service development.
With a focus on prevention, we are committed to identifying the root causes and wider impact of stress in both specialties, supporting members in maintaining their wellbeing, and promoting a supportive working culture. Long-term, unaddressed burnout can have devastating consequences including chronic health conditions, a low sense of professional accomplishment and quality of patient care.
RCR Support and Wellbeing Champions
In 2021, the RCR published Care is not just for the patient, which included a commitment to creating and appointing to Support and Wellbeing Champion roles.
One of the main purposes of the champion role will be to develop and raise awareness and knowledge of the range of factors that may impact on doctors’ wellbeing, and to contribute to the RCR’s aspiration to help prevent burnout among our already stretched specialties. As an individual with expertise and knowledge of the challenges of working in radiology or oncology, a support and wellbeing champion can offer a specialty-focused understanding of wellbeing.
Prior to the role being rolled out across our medical imaging services and cancer centres, the RCR is delighted to announce that we will be running a year-long pilot scheme during 2024/25.
In parallel to this we will also convene a Support and Wellbeing Working Group (SWWG) who will oversee the pilot. The responsibility of the group will be to help us develop and deliver the RCR Support and Wellbeing Champion scheme, as well as co-develop and implement a plan for evaluating the success of the pilot.
We now invite expressions of interest from services who would be interested in participating in the pilot RCR Support and Wellbeing Champion scheme.
For further details, download the Support and Wellbeing Champion role description.
Applicants are welcome to apply for one or both opportunities.
Support and Wellbeing Champion: pilot scheme
How to apply: Clinical Directors and Heads of Service who are interested in their service participating in the pilot scheme are asked to submit the name of their Support and Wellbeing Champion nominee to the Guidance team on [email protected] including a short biography of their nominee. Please ensure you have considered the role description in full prior to applying.
Individuals wishing to take on the role of Support and Wellbeing Champion for their department should discuss this with their clinical director / Head of Service in the first instance as the role will require their full support. The formal expression of interest will also need to be submitted by them.
Support & Wellbeing resources
The following resources are available for Fellows and members across the RCR:
Mentoring & participation schemes
RCR Mentoring Scheme: Our mentoring scheme helps support you as you navigate the transitions in your career. It also offers a selection of resources to help you navigate your mentorship journey, ensuring the relationships you build are productive and enjoyable.
Find out more about our mentoring scheme.
RadReach: The RadReach mentoring scheme aims to transform training at an elemental level and offer continued support for final year medical students and/or foundation scheme doctors from a widening participation background.
Find out more about RadReach.
Guidance documents and reports
Guidance: Job Planning guidance for consultant and SAS doctors
Spotlight on series
Resources from other healthcare organisations
Please note, links from the RCR website to external websites and material are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or approval. The RCR is not responsible for the accuracy, legality or content of any external sources referenced on this website.
The NHS Practitioner Health Programme
A free, confidential NHS primary care mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health & care professionals
The British Medical Association
The British Medical Association offer a range of wellbeing support services and information.
The General Medical Council (GMC)
The GMC's report ‘The state of medical education and practice in the UK: Workplace experiences 2023’ offers practical steps organisations can take to improve satisfaction and wellbeing.
Civility Saves Lives
Civility Saves Lives aims to change behaviours of medics through providing evidence in digestible formats such as podcasts, videos, websites and academic papers.
Health Education England
NHS Staff and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing Commission 2019
NHS Employers
NHS Employers, 2022: Beating Burnout in the NHS