First reported 15 Oct 2013•Latest report 17 Feb 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of the CT-scanning access and provision process that delay, prevent or leave unresolved clinically indicated CT imaging, including direct referral access, service availability, out-of-hours or weekend provision, capacity, scheduling, authorisation and completion across clinical settings.
Not included
Excludes failures limited to interpretation, review or clinical action after CT images have been made available, unless access or completion is also deficient.
Excludes generic diagnostic-imaging, staffing, equipment or commissioning deficiencies that are not specifically tied to access to or provision of CT scanning.
Excludes other imaging modalities, including MRI, ultrasound and plain radiography, unless the assertion specifically concerns CT scanning.
Excludes failures limited to the content of a named CT request pathway where CT access or completion is not itself the unsafe condition.
Reports
26
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
29
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
25
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 Care4
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence3
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust3
Care Quality Commission2
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust2
NHS England2
Royal London Hospital2
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust2
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust2
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust2
Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
Barts Health NHS Trust1
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust1
Greater Manchester1
Homerton University Hospital1
NHS trust18
Executive non-departmental public body5
Ministerial department4
Healthcare site3
Health and social care service regulator2
Multi-service care provider2
Clinical commissioning group1
Domiciliary care provider1
Health professional body1
Local health board1
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.
Black Country
Concerns raised1
Delays in obtaining urgent CT scans
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 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
Revise the head-injury guideline to align with NICE guidance and add head-and-neck imaging prompts to the proforma.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 March 2018.
Action
Require all clinicians to use the head-injury proforma for hospital falls and Emergency Department presentations.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 March 2018.
Action
Monitor implementation of the approved head-injury guideline, including imaging, observation duration, specialist referrals and follow-through of requested actions.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 March 2018.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide timely CT scanning after falls in elderly patients taking blood-thinning medications
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
Log the concerns with the NICE guideline surveillance team for consideration in ongoing surveillance.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 June 2018.
Action
Take the issues into account when the relevant guideline areas are next reviewed.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 16 June 2018.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing VTE and head-injury guidelines appropriately reflect available evidence and do not require amendment at this time.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure guideline-compliant CT scanning for patients with head injuries, especially those taking anti-coagulant medication, during on-site CT scanner service issues
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
Implement a CT scanner downtime escalation and dissemination process, supported by senior managers on call, out-of-hours protocol reminders, and posters in relevant clinical areas.
Stated by Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 March 2018.
Action
Provide training on NICE guidelines for hospital-acquired head injuries and require all new starters to complete it during Trust induction.
Stated by Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 March 2018.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of timely CT angiogram slots
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The CT angiogram delay did not reflect an acute clinical risk or an appointment shortage; urgent cases could be expedited.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
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 North
Concerns raised1
Lack of urgent direct access to CT scanning for primary care clinicians
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.
Black Country
Concerns raised1
Failure to perform CT head scans after significant facial and head bruising
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.2
Action
Recheck head-injury and inpatient-falls policies against NICE and NPSA standards.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 February 2017.
Action
Install the new electronic patient record to provide decision support and alerts reinforcing inpatient-falls and head-injury standards.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 February 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing head-injury and inpatient-falls policies meet NICE and NPSA standards and remain suitable for staff use.
Stated by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Cumbria
Concerns raised1
Delays in timely radiologist review and reporting of diagnostic X-rays and CT 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 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.6
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.
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.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure to routinely perform CT scans in circumstances where impacted or undisplaced fractures may be present
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.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Delays and restricted access in obtaining urgent CT scans
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 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
Provide revised out-of-hours CT-requesting guidance in full and abbreviated forms on the intranet and through junior-doctor induction.
Stated by Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 February 2016.
Action
Remove routine Medica-radiologist discussion or direct consultant involvement for specified urgent CT pathways, while retaining radiologist discussion for other out-of-hours scans.
Stated by Ashford and St Peter'S Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 February 2016.
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Includes failures of the CT-scanning access and provision process that delay, prevent or leave unresolved clinically indicated CT imaging, including direct referral access, service availability, out-of-hours or weekend provision, capacity, scheduling, authorisation and completion across clinical settings.
