Hundreds of thousands of people in England are not getting tests for killer diseases because of widespread delays that doctors fear will harm patients.
A total of 386,849 people in September had been waiting more than six weeks for a diagnostic test for cancer, heart problems and other serious conditions, according to an analysis of NHS waiting time data by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR).
NHS England has told health trusts to ensure that by 2027 no more than 20% of all patients have to wait this long to receive any of the tests it uses to detect diseases, such as CT scans and MRIs.
However, delays are so common that almost half (46%) of trusts are missing the six-week target, the RCR analysis found.
The hold-ups are dangerous because patients’ treatment cannot start until their illness has been properly diagnosed, it warned.
“These chronic and widespread delays for tests are highly alarming,” said Dr Stephen Harden, the president of the RCR.
“Far too many patients are facing long, anxious waits for answers about their health. Without action, these delays will continue to put patients at risk.”
The affected tests include ultrasound scans, Dexa scans to spot osteoporosis, hearing exams, echocardiograms for identifying heart problems, and barium enemas and colonoscopies, both of which are used to diagnose bowel cancer.
Harden said: “Delayed diagnostic tests mean patients are waiting anxiously for weeks or months, sometimes in pain, for answers about their health. Those delays often continue into test reporting and diagnosis because of the chronic shortage of radiologists who interpret scans.
“Any delay to accessing treatment can worsen health outcomes and even lead to preventable deaths.”
He added: “Evidence shows a 10% increase in the risk of death for every month that cancer treatment is delayed. Some cancers, such as lung cancer, require multiple tests and scans to properly diagnose them, so delayed access to tests can have devastating consequences.”
Officially, NHS trusts are meant to ensure that no more than 1% of patients wait more than six weeks for a test. However, that target has not been met since 2015. NHS England has now set the 20% target as an interim measure to help trusts improve their performance.
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The public accounts committee warned recently that delays in accessing diagnostic tests and treatment had not fallen despite NHS England’s multi-billion-pound investment in community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has voiced doubts that the government will fulfil its key pledge to restore the 18-week wait for planned hospital care by 2029, as has the Health Foundation thinktank.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This government inherited a broken NHS, with waiting lists soaring and elective services in dire need of modernisation, but we are turning the tide.
“We are reforming our NHS and we are making good progress, with waiting lists down and around 193,000 more patients getting a cancer diagnosis or the all-clear on time in the last 12 months compared to the previous year.
“But we know there is more to do. That’s why we’re determined to improve cancer care through the upcoming national cancer plan.”
What steps can patients take to proactively manage their care while facing NHS test delays?
NHS Test Delays Expose Hundreds of Thousands to Risk, Warn English doctors
The Growing Crisis in Diagnostic Services
English doctors are sounding the alarm over notable delays in NHS test results, potentially putting hundreds of thousands of patients at risk. The backlog, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing staffing shortages, is impacting diagnosis and treatment timelines for a wide range of conditions, from cancer and heart disease to neurological disorders. This isn’t simply an inconvenience; it’s a critical issue affecting patient safety and outcomes. Key concerns revolve around diagnostic delays, NHS backlogs, and the impact on patient care.
Specific Tests Facing Significant Delays
The delays aren’t uniform across all tests. Several key diagnostic areas are experiencing notably acute problems:
* Cancer Diagnostics: Delays in receiving results for cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, PSA tests) and diagnostic scans (CT, MRI, PET) are a major worry. Late diagnosis significantly reduces treatment options and survival rates. Cancer waiting times are a key performance indicator currently under strain.
* Cardiology Tests: ECGs, echocardiograms, and cardiac MRIs are facing backlogs, delaying the diagnosis and management of heart conditions. This can led to worsening symptoms and increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. heart health is directly impacted by timely access to these tests.
* Neurological Assessments: Waiting times for MRI scans to investigate neurological symptoms (headaches, seizures, weakness) are increasing, potentially delaying the diagnosis of conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumours.Neurological disorders require rapid diagnosis for effective intervention.
* Endoscopy Services: Colonoscopies and gastroscopies, crucial for detecting and preventing bowel cancer and other gastrointestinal issues, are experiencing considerable delays. Gastrointestinal health is compromised by these delays.
* Blood Tests: Routine and specialist blood tests are also affected, impacting the monitoring of chronic conditions and the diagnosis of infections. Blood test results are often the first step in identifying health problems.
Impact on Patient Outcomes & The Role of Primary Care
The consequences of these delays are far-reaching. Patients face increased anxiety, prolonged uncertainty, and potentially irreversible health deterioration.
* Delayed Treatment: A delayed diagnosis often means delayed treatment, allowing conditions to progress to more advanced stages, requiring more aggressive and potentially less effective interventions.
* Increased Emergency Admissions: Patients whose conditions are not diagnosed promptly may experience acute exacerbations, leading to emergency hospital admissions. This puts further strain on already stretched A&E departments.
* Mental Health Impact: The uncertainty and anxiety associated with waiting for test results can significantly impact patients’ mental wellbeing. Patient anxiety is a growing concern.
* Strain on gps: General Practitioners (GPs) are facing increased pressure as they attempt to manage patients while awaiting test results. They are often forced to make arduous decisions based on incomplete data. Primary care is the first line of defense, but is hampered by these delays.
Contributing Factors to the NHS test Backlog
several factors have converged to create this crisis:
- COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic led to the cancellation of many routine tests and procedures, creating a significant backlog.
- Staffing Shortages: The NHS is facing a chronic shortage of radiologists, pathologists, and other healthcare professionals essential for interpreting test results. NHS staffing crisis is a systemic issue.
- Increased Demand: An aging population and increased awareness of health issues are driving up demand for diagnostic services.
- Equipment Limitations: Access to advanced diagnostic equipment, such as MRI scanners, is limited in some areas.
- Funding Constraints: Insufficient investment in diagnostic services has contributed to the backlog. NHS funding is a constant debate.
What Can Patients Do? – Practical Tips & Advocacy
While the situation is largely beyond individual control, patients can take steps to advocate for themselves:
* Communicate with Your GP: Maintain open communication with your GP and discuss your concerns about delays.
* Ask About Prioritization: Inquire whether your test can be prioritized based on the severity of your symptoms.
* Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a record of all appointments, tests, and communications with healthcare professionals.
* Consider private Options (If Affordable): If you can afford it, consider accessing diagnostic tests privately to expedite the process. Private healthcare can offer faster access, but is not accessible to all.
* Patient Advocacy Groups: Connect with patient advocacy groups for support and information.
* Understand Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your rights as an NHS patient, including waiting time targets. NHS patient rights are legally defined.
Real-World Example: The Impact of Delayed Cancer Diagnosis
In late 2023, a national audit revealed that thousands of cancer patients experienced delays in diagnosis due to the pandemic backlog. One case highlighted in the report involved a patient with suspected lung cancer who waited over six months for a CT scan. By the time the cancer was
