The Royal College of Pathologists has published a new report on the Clinical Immunology Workforce, which highlights the significant pressures facing immunology services across the UK. In response, the British Society for Immunology's Clinical Immunology Professional Network (BSI-CIPN) has released the following statement.
Professor Sinisa Savic, Chair of the British Society for Immunology Clinical Immunology Professional Network (BSI-CIPN), said:
“This new clinical immunology workforce report from the Royal College of Pathologists paints a very concerning picture and highlights the underinvestment that those of us working in the specialty have been aware of for many years. Clinical immunology is a crucial service within the NHS, but lack of support coupled with increasing demand has led to a service that is woefully under-resourced and now at risk of collapse.
“The British Society for Immunology Clinical Immunology Professional Network (BSI-CIPN) supports the report's recommendations that significant, urgent investment is needed to boost the UK’s clinical immunology workforce across all aspects of recruitment, retention and training. Our clinical immunologists work incredibly hard to deliver the best care for their patients, but this is made increasingly difficult with a national workforce that does not have enough staff to meet clinical demand. The BSI-CIPN stands ready to work with the wider sector to implement the report’s recommendations and build vital capacity within the specialty.”
You can read the full Clinical Immunology Workforce report from the Royal College of Pathologists on their website.