Teleradiology: more disadvantages than advantages R. FitzGerald; Wolverhampton/UK (richardfitzgerald@nhs.net) Teleradiology benefits many patients: those caring for them, and healthcare systems. Many radiologists choose to practice/use teleradiology and derive substantial economic and/or work-life benefits. Large-scale teleradiology is less than 10 years old and we have yet to see the full extent of its negative, often unintended, consequences. Commoditisation of radiology by teleradiology, and increasing pressure on healthcare budgets in this age of austerity may lead to hospital departments losing contracts for less complex reporting, the funding from which is needed to cross-subsidise complex imaging. Local departments may have to curtail services and cut staff. The cut-throat marketplace of radiology reporting facilitated by teleradiology may encourage faster reporting and may discourage comparison with relevant previous imaging and reports, interrogation of electronic patient records, direct discussion with clinicians and service development. This could have adverse consequences for patients. We have yet to see the long-term occupational health and accuracy implications of call centre productivity applied to teleradiology reporting by companies having to secure contracts with ever tighter margins. Radiologists' pay, pensionability, tenure and working conditions could be at risk. Medical regulation of teleradiologists is patchy and this poses risks to patients. Legislative regulatory solutions and their implementation are years away, despite lobbying since 2004. Learning Objectives: