Diagnosis

NHS England places the utmost importance on optimising the performance of diagnostic services in support of improved patient outcomes. Integrated care boards and trusts are being supported to improve diagnostic performance, including through capital investment, with the aim to significantly shorten long waits for diagnostic tests, reducing the risk of avoidable harm while patients are waiting for them.

Where evidence of patient harm emerges, NHS England has taken a proactive approach to addressing the lessons from any incidents and supporting providers to make the necessary changes. An example of this is NHS England’s response in addressing the systemic failings highlighted by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report Unlocking Solutions in Imaging, published July 2021, and subsequent investigations by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch. In this case, NHS England formed a dedicated board to review the recommendations and oversee changes, which included:

• the publication of the Radiology lifecycle by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) in February 2025 outlining the roles and responsibilities of clinicians at each stage of the imaging journey, with further information available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/media/4mnpxmhw/rcr-publications-radiology-lifecycle-guidance.pdf;
• the establishment of national standards for reporting turnaround times, published August 2023, with further information available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/diagnostic-imaging-reporting-turnaround-times/;
• the development of a culture of continuous learning through network and regional Radiology Events and Learning Meetings, or REALMS. The RCR launched an online learning hub, REAL online, in 2023, which is an interactive learning resource for radiologists. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/cpd-and-events/radiology-events-and-learning-real/; and
• investment in improvements in digital interoperability and connectivity through national capital to support faster, more reliable access to imaging data across the system.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care often meets with families who have faced failings in their care whilst using the National Health Service. It is important to learn from the experiences of patients and families to improve care in the NHS and learn from any failings.