This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44871476

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Delays in radiology results 'affecting patient care' Delays in radiology results 'affecting patient care'
(about 11 hours later)
The regulator of heath care services in England is calling for a limit on how long it takes to report the results of patients' x-rays and scans.The regulator of heath care services in England is calling for a limit on how long it takes to report the results of patients' x-rays and scans.
The Care Quality Commission's review of radiology practices found that the process could vary from one hour to two working days in hospital A&Es.The Care Quality Commission's review of radiology practices found that the process could vary from one hour to two working days in hospital A&Es.
This could mean delays in results being shared with doctors and patients receiving timely care.This could mean delays in results being shared with doctors and patients receiving timely care.
The review also said there were not enough radiologists to meet demand.The review also said there were not enough radiologists to meet demand.
The Care Quality Commission asked a small group of 30 health trusts in England to reveal their own internal benchmarks for radiology reporting - and it found huge variations in the time taken to examine and report on scans and x-rays. The Care Quality Commission asked all 151 health trusts in England to reveal their own internal benchmarks for radiology reporting - and it found huge variations in the time taken to examine and report on scans and x-rays.
The review also said a shortage of radiologists was contributing to delays and backlogs.The review also said a shortage of radiologists was contributing to delays and backlogs.
The CQC has called for national standards for hospitals to ensure timely reporting.The CQC has called for national standards for hospitals to ensure timely reporting.
Cancer Research UK said radiology scans were crucial in diagnosing many cancers, and it was extremely worrying that some patients were waiting a long time.Cancer Research UK said radiology scans were crucial in diagnosing many cancers, and it was extremely worrying that some patients were waiting a long time.
'Disparity in timescales''Disparity in timescales'
Serious concerns had already been aired after inspections of three NHS trusts, where backlogs and delays to radiology reporting were felt to be putting patients at risk.Serious concerns had already been aired after inspections of three NHS trusts, where backlogs and delays to radiology reporting were felt to be putting patients at risk.
The trusts were Worcester Royal Hospital, Kettering General Hospital and Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.The trusts were Worcester Royal Hospital, Kettering General Hospital and Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.
Professor Ted Baker, CQC's chief inspector of hospitals, said: "While our review found some examples of good practice, it also revealed a major disparity in timescales for interpreting and reporting on examinations, meaning that some patients are waiting far longer than others for their results.Professor Ted Baker, CQC's chief inspector of hospitals, said: "While our review found some examples of good practice, it also revealed a major disparity in timescales for interpreting and reporting on examinations, meaning that some patients are waiting far longer than others for their results.
"We are calling for agreed national standards to ensure consistent, timely reporting of radiological examinations," he said."We are calling for agreed national standards to ensure consistent, timely reporting of radiological examinations," he said.
"This will allow trusts to monitor and benchmark their own performances - and ensure that, for example, patients are not put at risk by delays in their x-ray results being reported to the clinician responsible for their care.""This will allow trusts to monitor and benchmark their own performances - and ensure that, for example, patients are not put at risk by delays in their x-ray results being reported to the clinician responsible for their care."
He added that many trusts relied on outsourcing to external providers or delegating reporting to non-radiology clinical staff to cope with an increasing workload.He added that many trusts relied on outsourcing to external providers or delegating reporting to non-radiology clinical staff to cope with an increasing workload.
But he said that those with the job of interpreting x-rays had to be "appropriately trained to do so".But he said that those with the job of interpreting x-rays had to be "appropriately trained to do so".