Recurring concern
Unreliable timeliness of radiology imaging and reporting
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Request correctionFirst reported 15 Oct 2013•Latest report 4 Mar 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures in radiology processes that delay or prevent clinically required imaging, reporting or access to radiology services, including unrealistic or unmet reporting-time expectations, delayed scan performance or reporting, burdensome request routes and inadequate out-of-hours arrangements.
Not included
- Excludes failures limited to interpretation of images where imaging and reporting were timely and available.
- Excludes non-radiology investigations and generic diagnostic delays without a specific radiology connection.
- Excludes condition-specific imaging pathways where a more specific named concern provides the supported boundary.
- Excludes generic staffing, communication or IT deficiencies unless they directly impair timely radiology imaging, reporting or access.
- Reports
- 29
- Individual concerns
- 31
- Date range
- 2013–2026
- Stated actions
- 44
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
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.
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.
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Concerns raised1
Delays in official radiologist reporting of chest X-rays showing cardiomegaly
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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.2
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Action
Complete and formalise the radiology policy review to document how clinical teams can expedite imaging reports for clinical concerns.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Share the updated radiology escalation guidance with paediatric teams and publish it on the Trust intranet.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Formal chest X-ray reporting delays lie outside the respondent’s control.
Stated by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
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Concerns raised1
Delays in undertaking staging scans
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Monitor individual cancer patients through weekly or fortnightly specialty review meetings.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board -
Action
Track cancer patients across the pathway, including referrals to regional specialist services.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board -
Action
Escalate unbooked staging scans after five days through direct contact with referring radiology or tracking teams.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board
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Action
Continue advertising and re-advertising to recruit specialist head and neck radiology staff.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board -
Action
Provide 12-month locum radiology cover for the head and neck service from October 2025.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
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Position
Diagnostic testing and staging for patients from other Health Boards are delivered by their home Health Board, not Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board
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Position
Swansea Bay University Health Board does not directly manage diagnostic and staging pathway elements occurring outside its area.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board -
Position
National shortages and recruitment difficulties constrain the Health Board’s ability to provide robust specialist head and neck radiology services.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health Board
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Concerns raised1
Delays in making CT scan results available
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Use one comprehensive patient-tracking system across hospital sites to monitor cancer pathways, diagnostic reporting, timescales and required escalations.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Weekly specialist MDT meetings and centralised tracking are considered sufficient to prevent delays in scan review and treatment planning.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Burdensome and time-consuming out-of-hours CT scan requesting system
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Improve the time from Emergency Department CT request to reported result through a quality improvement project.
Stated by Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Delays in reporting radiological chest x-rays
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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.2
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Action
Increase Emergency Department imaging-reporting radiologists and radiographers to near-full capacity.
Stated by Barts Health NHS Trust -
Action
Recruit further imaging reporters to reduce reporting turnaround times.
Stated by Barts Health NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The chest radiograph was reported within the department’s ten-working-day timeframe, despite being completed outside normal working hours.
Stated by Barts Health NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Shortage of radiographers and radiologists causing delays in scan performance and reporting
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Implement the Long Term Workforce Plan to improve training, staff retention, workforce reform and sustainable staffing.
Stated by NHS England
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
NHS Trusts are responsible for ensuring appropriate staffing, senior clinical support and diagnostic provision for anticipated demand.
Stated by NHS England
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Concerns raised1
Delays in carrying out and reporting CT scans due to insufficient suitably qualified radiology staff
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 concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
NHSE and local integrated care bodies are responsible for addressing the concerns about treatment at Wythenshawe Hospital.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Position
Greater Manchester Integrated Care provides the relevant services, while its Integrated Care Board decides commissioned health services.
Stated by NHS England
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Concerns raised1
Expectation for reporting all scans within an hour
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 concernsEach 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.3
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Action
Train radiographers to vet scans under predefined radiologist protocols.
Stated by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Produce frequently asked questions for radiography staff to reduce interruptions to radiology sessions.
Stated by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Investigate an artificial intelligence tool to improve triage between urgent and less urgent scans.
Stated by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Not all scans require reporting within one hour; national standards set different timescales according to clinical urgency.
Stated by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Limited remote access to relevant systems for urgent out-of-hours imaging reporting
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Revisit radiology informatics guidance to verify that imaging equipment specifications are clear and unambiguous.
Stated by Royal College of Radiologists
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Technology access issues are being addressed locally by Tameside General Hospital.
Stated by Royal College of Radiologists
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Concerns raised1
Failure to perform indicated CT head scans
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 concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026