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06
Nov 2018
NHS staff shortages leave patients facing long waits for key tests
A recent investigation has shown that a growing number of patients are facing lengthy waits for key tests as hospitals within the UK continue to struggle with staff shortages.
These delays can lead to potentially harmful delays before the treatment can commence.
Although biopsies and scans are crucial in the diagnosis of illnesses, the figures, which were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, have revealed that tens of thousands of patients are waiting for weeks and sometimes months for the tests.
The figures also suggest a key cause to be a current shortage of radiographers within the health service, with one in eleven posts unfilled. Radiographers carry out an important role in diagnosing illnesses, undertaking ultrasounds and scans, which detect problems such as tumours, multiple sclerosis and heart disease.
In England, diagnostic tests should take place within six weeks of referral. However, in the last 12 months, the number of patients waiting longer than the target has risen by 9,000 to just under 29,000 and one in seven patients has waited for longer than three months.
Head of the Society of Radiographers, Richard Evans, has indicated his concern about the current situation, saying “If we are going to identify things like cancer early we need more diagnostics.
“We are struggling with demand and that creates delays for patients.
“It is not just about staffing either. We have ageing machines that are not as efficient as they should be.
Cancer Research’s Emma Greenwood, said “The diagnostic bottleneck is already threatening the care of many and presents a challenge which must be faced head on if we are serious about improving care for cancer patients.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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