RADIOLOGY
In his report, Ombudsman Rob Behrens stressed that failings related to imaging are found across the NHS, in both primary and secondary care services, and not solely in imaging departments. He called on the Government to commit to a system-wide programme of improvements for more effective and timely management of X-rays and scans.
He commented: “X-ray and scan results are key to diagnosis and treatment for many people. Yet the failings outlined in this report show that without a concerted effort to improve imaging, patient safety continues to be at risk. “Now, as the NHS recovers from the devastating impact of the pandemic, we have a vital opportunity to learn from the failings and embed system-wide changes to improve imaging in the health service. The evidence-led recommendations I have set out should be implemented swiftly, with collaboration across government and the health sector to strengthen the NHS’s recovery.” For many of the five million people currently waiting for hospital treatment, imaging will be a crucial part of their care. Effective diagnosis will be an essential first step in tackling the backlog caused by the pandemic, further highlighting the need for rapid action on improvements. Peter Walsh from the patient safety
charity, Action against Medical Accidents, commented: “We very much welcome this report, which underlines the urgency of improving radiology services across the board, including recognition, reporting and acting on imaging results. “We see in our own work how vital diagnostic services are, and the awful effect on people’s lives when they go wrong. There have now been a raft of reports and recommendations about improving
radiology services. This is a major patient safety issue, and we need to see the various recommendations implemented as a matter of urgency.” The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) president, Dr. Jeanette Dickson, also welcomed the report, commenting: “We are pleased the PHSO has called for urgent action on those previous investigations and we have been working with NHSEI and partner organisations to progress them. “The intrinsic complexity of radiology across systems and patient pathways – plus a hiatus due to COVID-19 – has slowed down work, but we need pressure back on to improve NHS imaging. We hope to see real improvements by the time DHSC/NHSEI provide an official update in spring 2022.” Dr. Dickson acknowledged that “honest mistakes can and do happen in medicine” and pointed out that imaging reporters sometimes miss findings due to “perceptual and cognitive errors”, in addition to a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. She said that the RCR and its members are working hard to ensure errors are minimised and patients are kept safe by publishing national guidance and providing support for learning and reflection. “We will continue to emphasise and incorporate this in all future clinical guidance and guidance reviews,” she commented, adding, “The Ombudsman’s call for NHS digital shortcomings to be addressed as an urgent patient safety matter is both bold and pivotal. The COVID-19 response has demonstrated the NHS can make rapid digital improvements, such as rolling out remote and networked scan reporting. Innovations in imaging IT must continue
60 l
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM
as the health service recovers, and Trusts must be centrally supported to allocate the staff time and capital investment needed to upgrade IT and alert systems.” She pointed out that hospital imaging teams are under more pressure than ever, battling through COVID backlogs on top of spiralling demand for radiology scans and procedures. It is crucial, therefore, that system and local-level efficiencies are actioned.
“Staff desperately need breathing space to implement systems change, but this will only take us so far,” Dr. Dickson continued. “The latest RCR staffing data shows that the NHS needs at least another 2,000 radiologists to meet demand and ensure safe practice. Recent training uplifts for more radiologists are welcome but must go further to meet future demand. In the short-term Government, the NHS and Trusts must work together to actively support and retain radiology teams or risk an exodus of exhausted imaging staff.”
CSJ
References 1 PHSO, Unlocking Solutions in Imaging, 7 July 2021, 2 Accessed at:
https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/sites/ default/files/Unlocking_Solutions_in_Imaging_ working_together_to_learn_from_failings_in_the_ NHS%20-%20EMBARGO.pdf
3 Health and Safety Investigation Branch, Failures in communication or follow-up of unexpected significant radiological findings, 2018.
4 Care Quality Commission, Radiology review: a national review of radiology reporting within the NHS in England, 2018.
5 Mike Richards, Diagnostics: Recovery and Renewal – Report of the Independent Review of Diagnostic Service for NHS England, 2020.
SEPTEMBER 2021
©Sylvain Sonnet
©Tyler Olson -
stock.adobe.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
