Imaging exam interpretation delays are the worst they've ever been in the U.K., despite an increase in outsourcing exams to private providers, according to a statment issued by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) on 19 May.
"Almost 1 million patients in 2024 waited more than a month for their scan results -- despite NHS (National Health Service) spending on outsourcing radiology reporting to private firms reaching an all-time high," the college said. It revealed that 976,000 scans in England overshot the one-month interpretation target last year, representing a 28% increase compared with 2023.
In 2024, NHS trusts (hospital groups) and health boards across the U.K. spent £325 million (€386.32 million) on managing excess demand, with £216 million (€256.76 million) going to private teleradiology companies – a rise of 24% in a year and more than double prepandemic levels, the RCR noted.
There is a 30% shortfall of clinical radiologists, and demand for CT and MR imaging grew by 8% last year.
"If current trends continue, we’ll be spending more than £400 million [€475.47 million] a year by 2028 -- enough to cover the salaries of 3,389 full-time consultant radiologists," the RCR said.
The RCR is "calling for funds to be redirected away from short-term fixes and into longer-term solutions, including training new radiologists and investing in technology such as AI tools that will improve productivity in reporting," it urged.
For further details, go to: rcr.ac.uk/news-policy/latest-updates/radiology-delays-worst-on-record-despite-spend-on-private-providers-soaring/
