Radiology test results taking over a month to be given to patients
- May 27, 2016
- EmmaArnold
Hundreds of thousands of patients are waiting over a month for radiology results, a report has found.
The report from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) found a backlog in CT and MRI scan results in three-quarters of hospitals.
Statistics showed how on one particular day in February 2016 23,000 patients were waiting more than a month for test results.
Hannah Bottomley, clinical negligence solicitor at PotterReesDolan, said:
I am unsurprised by the results of this recent study however I hope for improvement in the future as any patient who is waiting for test results knows that the key to moving on with treatment is diagnosis.
Sadly diagnosis is often only possible with proper imaging and interpretation of the results and these delays are undoubtedly effecting the speed at which people most in need are being diagnosed and receiving appropriate care and treatment.
I often speak with people who have experienced delays during the course of diagnosis and treatment and I know from experience that any delay, even one month, can have serious consequences for individual patients.
The RCR said not only would patients' health be affected by the delay but patients and their families were also feeling anxious when waiting for results.
The college also said how early diagnosis of serious medical conditions such as cancer is vital so patients have a better chance of being cured.
So they delay in providing patients with test results could lead to a worse outcome for patients.