First reported 20 Jun 2014•Latest report 26 Aug 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in the dedicated diagnostic-imaging information process where requests or interpretation referrals omit, inadequately describe or inconsistently communicate the indication, relevant clinical history, symptoms or changes in symptoms needed for safe image interpretation.
Not included
Excludes failures of image acquisition, scan availability, modality selection or reporting timeliness when the clinical-information provision itself is not deficient.
Excludes failures to interpret or act on imaging findings after sufficient clinical information has been provided.
Excludes generic clinical documentation, communication or referral deficiencies that are not specifically tied to information supplied for diagnostic imaging interpretation.
Excludes information deficiencies concerning non-imaging investigations or treatment decisions.
Reports
4
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
10
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
General Medical Council1
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust1
Royal College of Emergency Medicine1
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust1
The Society and College of Radiographers1
West Suffolk Hospital1
NHS trust2
Health and care professional regulator1
Healthcare site1
Health professional body1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Sunderland
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide Radiologists with complete and consistent clinical history and symptom information for scan interpretation
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Update Trust induction training to emphasise clinical details required in radiology requests for safe and accurate reporting.
Stated by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Develop a work instruction specifying the required clinical information for radiology examinations to proceed.
Stated by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Issue Trust-wide communication updating current staff about the required clinical information for radiology requests.
Stated by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Audit compliance with radiology request information standards and provide feedback to individuals and directorates as appropriate.
Stated by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Newcastle and North Tyneside
Concerns raised2
Radiology triage arrangements failing to ensure reliable transfer of referral information to imaging clinicians
Failure of telephone referrals and imaging summaries to provide accurate, consistent clinical information
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Operate the ratified CT imaging referral protocol requiring senior review, written ICE referrals and defined Radiographer authorisation pathways.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 October 2023.
Action
Remind Radiology staff to document relevant justification discussions in RIS for access by subsequent reporting Radiologists.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 October 2023.
Action
Relaunch SBAR across the Trust, requiring documented email confirmation and record copies for telephone advice and escalation communications.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 5 October 2023.
Action
Develop and deliver diagnostic-referral education covering mandatory fields, clinical information and differential diagnoses for trained staff.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 5 October 2023.
Action
Require ICE referrers to record clinical details and differential diagnoses in the renamed mandatory referral field.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 October 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Radiology departments cannot guarantee that the radiologist justifying imaging will also interpret and report it.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Written ICE referrals are generally sufficient to justify imaging without supplementary telephone discussion with a radiologist.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Involvement of different radiologists in imaging justification and reporting is not expected to cause errors under the improved referral and reporting arrangements.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Insufficiently detailed clinical information for radiographer X-ray reviews
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Ensure Society of Radiographers members are informed of the approved Clinical Imaging Board guidance on employer and referrer responsibilities under IR(ME)R 17.
Stated by The Society and College of RadiographersStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 April 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Employers, rather than the Society, have overarching responsibility for ensuring referrers are trained in IR(ME)R 17 requirements.
Stated by The Society and College of RadiographersRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Suffolk
Concerns raised1
Failure to include sufficient clinical information in radiograph and other imaging requests
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.