First reported 15 Oct 2013•Latest report 4 Mar 2026
Definition
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
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
31
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
44
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.
Department of Health and Social Care8
NHS England4
Barts Health NHS Trust2
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust2
Swansea Bay University Local Health Board2
Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services1
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
Care Quality Commission1
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust1
Glangwili General Hospital1
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
Homerton University Hospital1
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust1
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust1
Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust1
NHS trust17
Ministerial department8
Executive non-departmental public body5
Healthcare site5
Local health board2
Clinical commissioning group1
Health and social care service regulator1
Health professional body1
Health-system partnership1
Integrated care board1
Multi-service care provider1
Professional body1
Type not available1
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.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Delays in reporting CT scans within the Trust’s five-day timescale
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.3
Action
Apply internal radiology reporting turnaround guidance that prioritizes examinations by modality, urgency and referral pathway.
Stated by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 June 2019.
Action
Monitor radiology reporting turnaround times as a key performance indicator and report performance to divisional management and the Trust Board.
Stated by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 June 2019.
Action
Manage outstanding radiology reporting through a clinically prioritized queue, allocating resources to acute, urgent and cancer pathways to mitigate backlog risks.
Stated by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 June 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
The five-day reporting timeframe was incorrect for the routine outpatient CT examinations, and reporting delays did not contribute to the death.
Stated by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Current prioritisation, monitoring, internal turnaround guidance and risk-management arrangements are considered sufficient while reporting backlogs are managed.
Stated by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
National standards and clear safety frameworks for radiology reporting turnaround times are assigned to national imaging, radiology and radiographer bodies.
Stated by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Lack of out-of-hours radiologist reporting arrangements for x-rays
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
Provide the surgical department with a designated laptop for the on-call Consultant to securely review imaging remotely and provide advice or attend when necessary.
Stated by Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 11 December 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing clinician training and access to on-call consultant radiologists were considered sufficient to identify and manage abnormal out-of-hours x-rays.
Stated by Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Failure to obtain an ordered CT scan
This report raised 11 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.
Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon
Concerns raised1
Lack of available CT imaging resource during simultaneous emergencies
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.2
Action
Operate the additional Emergency Department CT scanner to improve emergency imaging access and throughput.
Stated by Dr Philip M HughesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 September 2018.
Action
Increase consultant presence and CT scanning capacity at weekends.
Stated by Dr Philip M HughesStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 September 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing staffing cannot support second-tier on-call staff to open a second CT scanner at short notice.
Stated by Dr Philip M HughesUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen
Concerns raised2
Delays in reporting plain radiology within required timescales
Failure to report non-urgent plain radiology unless specifically requested
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Concerns raised1
Failure of radiology services to carry out Judet X-rays specifically requested by orthopaedic specialists
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Lack of out-of-hours radiology and on-site CT diagnostic capacity
This report raised 14 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.2
Action
Review options for providing CT scanning on site at QVH.
Stated by Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Action
Monitor the trust’s progress on its business case for an on-site CT scanner through ongoing engagement.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
QVH disputes that its lack of on-site specialists prevents access to specialist opinion, because agreements with BSUH provide specialist advice and imaging.
Stated by Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
NHS Improvement, NHS England, and the Care Quality Commission, working with the Trust and commissioners, were responsible for ensuring appropriate action.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester West
Concerns raised1
Delays in reporting neuroradiology and radiology
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Cumbria
Concerns raised2
Delays in timely radiologist review and reporting of diagnostic X-rays and CT scans
Insufficient availability of trained consultant radiologists
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.7
Action
Appoint three radiologists to increase reporting capacity.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 May 2016.
Action
Continue recruitment, including international recruitment, to develop reporting capacity.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 12 May 2016.
Action
Offer additional programmed activities and payment to consultants reporting work beyond contracted hours.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 May 2016.
Action
Provide ad hoc reporting support through eight honorary contracts with external radiologists.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 May 2016.
Action
Explore home reporting with the new PACS to improve recruitment and retention opportunities.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 12 May 2016.
Action
Roll out voice recognition technology across radiology staff to speed report turnaround.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 May 2016.
Action
Undertake workforce planning to review staff skill mix and age profile.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 12 May 2016.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
Insufficient radiology reporting capacity prevents all imaging studies from being reported promptly, reflecting a wider national radiologist shortage.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
The existing scope of referrer evaluation and its standard operating procedure are considered reasonable and safe, so wider expansion is not preferred.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
A prioritisation flow diagram is not being constructed because clinical complexity across modalities does not permit reliable simplification.
Stated by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Responsibility for staffing levels and skill mix rests with individual NHS Trust boards, considering local factors and safe-care requirements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Urgent and emergency care networks are responsible for developing clinical pathways, designating services and monitoring performance and access.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure to reliably transmit CT scans between trusts for timely review
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 the Image Exchange Portal procedure to clarify transmission routes, contingencies and audit-trail documentation.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 April 2016.
Action
Configure all SWBH CT scanners to send images to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 April 2016.
Action
Secure approval and complete configuration for all SWBH CT scanners to send images to Heartlands Hospital.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 April 2016.
Action
Train all radiographers in the Image Exchange Portal and Image Link, with documented competency sign-off.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 April 2016.
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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.
