How Radiology Insourcing Can Help Reduce Diagnostic Backlogs in the UK
The Growing Problem of Radiology Waiting Times in the UK
Current State of Radiology Diagnostics in NHS and Clinics
Radiology services within the NHS are under significant pressure, with waiting times for diagnostic tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds reaching concerning levels. According to NHS England's Diagnostics Waiting Times and Activity data, in June 2024, the median waiting time for all diagnostic tests was 2.9 weeks. However, this figure masks the reality for many patients; for instance, 17% of patients waited over six weeks for a CT or MRI scan, far exceeding the NHS target of less than 1% . The backlog is exacerbated by a shortage of radiologists, with an estimated 30% shortfall in consultant radiologists, leading to delays in reporting scan results .
Impact of Delays on Patient Outcomes
Delays in radiological diagnostics have a profound impact on patient outcomes, particularly in the early detection and treatment of critical illnesses such as cancer. The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) highlights that extended waiting times for imaging tests can lead to delayed diagnoses, reducing the chances of successful treatment and survival. For example, a four-week delay in cancer treatment can increase mortality risk by 6–8% . Furthermore, prolonged waits contribute to patient anxiety and can result in more advanced disease stages at diagnosis, necessitating more complex and costly treatments.
Information from NHS England and RCR.
What Is Radiology Insourcing?
Definition and Features of Radiology Insourcing
Radiology insourcing refers to the practice of bringing in external diagnostic teams to deliver imaging services within NHS or clinic facilities, using existing infrastructure. Unlike outsourcing, which often involves sending patients to off-site providers, insourcing allows patients to remain in familiar NHS settings while additional capacity is added. This model typically operates during weekends or out-of-hours, enabling a high volume of CT, MRI, and ultrasound scans to be completed without disrupting core operations. Providers like Elective Services offer fully managed radiology insourcing, including radiographers, reporting radiologists, and administrative staff, all trained to NHS standards. Their services are tailored to Trusts' specific needs and designed to reduce diagnostic backlogs efficiently. For a full overview, visit the Elective Services radiology page.
How Insourcing Radiology Services Reduces Backlogs
Efficient Use of Hospital Facilities
One of the most valuable aspects of radiology insourcing is the efficient use of NHS hospital infrastructure. Many diagnostic departments operate only during standard working hours, leaving expensive imaging equipment like CT, MRI, and ultrasound machines idle during evenings and weekends. Insourcing providers make use of this otherwise underutilised capacity by operating out-of-hours services, allowing NHS Trusts to significantly increase throughput without investing in new infrastructure. This model not only helps to address diagnostic backlogs but also maximises the return on existing NHS assets, improving overall system efficiency.
By working within the Trust’s facilities, insourced teams can ensure consistency in patient care, maintain existing referral and reporting systems, and reduce the need for external patient transport or administration. Importantly, these services can be tailored to local demand, for example, running targeted weekend MRI lists for high-priority patients or clearing ultrasound bottlenecks in community clinics. According to a Public Health Scotland report , diagnostic imaging bottlenecks remain a key barrier to timely treatment across the UK, particularly for cancer and stroke pathways. Insourcing offers a scalable way to relieve these delays without adding pressure to in-hours NHS staff.
Faster Turnaround for Diagnostic Tests
In addition to increasing scan capacity, radiology insourcing also improves the turnaround time from scan to report. Insourced providers deliver complete multidisciplinary teams that are trained to work together in a high-efficiency model. This includes radiographers who perform the scans, reporting radiologists who provide timely clinical interpretation, and admin staff who manage booking and documentation. With dedicated teams operating during set shifts, delays caused by fragmented handovers or resource constraints are minimised- leading to faster diagnosis and quicker initiation of treatment where needed.
Moreover, many insourcing providers integrate digital reporting tools and use NHS-compatible systems, which streamline workflows and ensure continuity of care. Studies have shown that integrated team models can significantly reduce time-to-report metrics, especially in high-pressure settings such as cancer diagnostics or emergency care. For NHS Trusts under pressure to meet urgent diagnostic targets, these faster turnaround times can make a tangible difference in both outcomes and operational performance.
The Key Benefits of Radiology Insourcing for NHS and Clinics
Cost-Effective Solutions to Meet Demand
Radiology insourcing presents a highly cost-effective alternative for NHS Trusts and private clinics aiming to reduce diagnostic backlogs without the burden of long-term capital investment or permanent staffing increases. Unlike outsourcing, which may involve higher costs due to transport, third-party facility use, and fragmented patient care, insourcing leverages existing NHS premises and systems. This significantly reduces overheads while maintaining clinical control and quality assurance. Trusts benefit from improved scheduling flexibility and operational efficiency, often at a fraction of the cost of full-time recruitment or outsourcing entire patient cohorts.
In a healthcare system already under financial strain, the ability to deliver high-volume diagnostic scans using in-house resources and short-term, specialist teams is particularly valuable. Many insourcing providers, like Elective Services, offer bespoke packages that allow Trusts to address specific areas of pressure, such as long MRI queues or backlogs in musculoskeletal ultrasound, without the need for complex procurement or infrastructure expansion. Clinics and hospitals can scale services up or down in response to patient demand, ensuring budget flexibility while still hitting diagnostic performance targets. In essence, insourcing delivers high-impact results without the high price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is radiology insourcing?
Radiology insourcing involves deploying expert teams, including radiographers, radiologists, and administrative staff, to perform diagnostic services such as CT, MRI, and X-ray scans within the hospital’s own facilities. This approach increases capacity without requiring patients to be sent off-site.
How does radiology insourcing reduce waiting times?
By utilising existing hospital infrastructure during evenings or weekends, and bringing in dedicated multidisciplinary teams, radiology insourcing accelerates scan delivery and reporting. This helps clear diagnostic backlogs more quickly and efficiently.
What are the key subspecialties supported by insourcing?
Insourcing solutions often cover a wide range of radiology subspecialties, including neuroradiology, thoracic imaging, musculoskeletal radiology, nuclear cardiology, and emergency radiology, depending on the provider’s capabilities and Trust requirements.
Why is radiology insourcing important for NHS Trusts?
Radiology insourcing helps NHS Trusts respond to increasing demand for diagnostic imaging. It minimises patient delays, improves early diagnosis for critical conditions, and ensures that high-quality imaging services are maintained without overloading in-house teams.
How can Elective Services help with radiology backlogs?
Elective Services delivers tailored insourcing solutions through NHS-trained teams, offering high-volume, high-quality imaging services designed to fit seamlessly into hospital workflows. Their expertise allows Trusts to tackle backlogs and meet performance targets with confidence.
