Watchdog praises cuts in patient waits for diagnostic tests
 Waiting times in departments have fallen significantly, for some tests by 33 per cent, says the latest Healthcare Commission report on diagnostic imaging services. But two out of three clinicians say that often they still do not get the results when they need them.
The report praises the progress made by acute and specialist NHS trusts in reducing waiting times. But it also highlights major differences in performance across the country, including the length of time it takes trusts to formally report the resultsof the tests.
'An Improving Picture? Imaging Services in Acute and Specialist Trusts' is the first of three reports from the Healthcare Commission, which together are planned to provide an assessment of diagnostic services in England during 2005/6. The Commission reviewed the performance of imaging departments using data from all 196 imaging departments in England and a survey of 5,500 doctors and nurses.
Imaging departments carry out 33 million patient examinations in England each year, including x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and ultrasound scans. Despite rising demand, most imaging departments have significantly reduced long waits for diagnostic examinations.
For example, the average length of time for a non-urgent CT scan dropped from seven weeks in 2001 to just over five weeks at the end of 2005. For MRI scans, the wait reduced from 21 weeks to 14 weeks over the same period. Investment in new equipment and higher productivity levels have contributed to the improvement.
Forty-six trusts out of 153 have already met the 13 week target for imaging services. However, in many trusts the subsequent wait for the result of the examination to be formally reported to the referring doctor had not improved since 2001. One in four trusts took more than 10 days to report examinations requested from outpatient clinics, a significant time in the context of the 18 week referral to treatment target.
The report states that the results from almost 10 per cent of imaging examinations were never formally reported to The referring doctor.
Richard Evans, the Society's chief executive responded to a report in the Guardian with the following letter to the editor:
“A key reason why the Healthcare Commission has found that imaging departments are not reporting on every diagnostic image, is that staff who could be providing this service are often not allowed to."
“Forward looking managers are increasingly using radiographers to take the images and provide a report to the referring clinician. These advanced or consultant radiography practitioners work alongside radiologists to provide a faster and more efficient service. Sadly, support for this kind of working is not universal in the NHS and the resources to train radiographers in the necessary skills are being cut back. Commissioners of health care need to show commitment to shorten waiting lists and make sure that patients receive the appropriate treatment more quickly."
“Another factor identified by the Commission is that funding restrictions may also prevent expensive scanners from being used to full capacity. Over half of the imaging managers surveyed agreed that it would be possible to staff more sessions if additional funding were available."
“At a time when the government is putting pressure on trusts to reduce staff levels, we need more diagnostic radiographers to make sure the equipment we have in place is being used to full capacity.”
On the whole, the national report appears a fair assessment. What do you think? The SoR will be compiling a response to the report and it is vital that the views and experiences of managers at the front line are represented. Did your own department receive a good report? Can you use the findings to strengthen your planning submissions? Has the process improved following earlier portfolio reviews?
Please feed back your comments and opinions to Richard Evans.
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