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Almost half a million people are being forced to wait for important scans at NHS hospitals. A report by the independent watchdog the Audit Commission shows huge delays in radiology services in hospitals across England and Wales.
It blames shortages in equipment and staff, and inefficient use of machines.
And it warns the delays are causing a "bottleneck" in the NHS and are preventing many patients from getting the medical care they need.
Doctors believe the long waits could be putting the lives of some patients at risk.
The report also reveals many patients in need of MRI and CT scans - which can detect cancer and heart defects - are waiting months to be seen.
Long waits
It found that 110,000 patients were waiting for MRI scans in March 2001. While the average wait was five months, many patients were waiting almost nine months to have the test.
Another 128,000 were waiting an average of two months for a general ultrasound. But at some hospitals, patients wait as long as three months.
There were similar long waits for colon tests, gynaecological ultrasounds and CT scans.
Generally, doctors prioritise those patients who are suspected of having life-threatening diseases like cancer or brain tumours and these are seen more quickly.
Most patients in need of X-rays were seen quickly. But those affected by long delays include those with hip and other orthopaedic problems and those with neurological symptoms like severe headaches.
Doctors acknowledged that some patients with serious conditions may be affected.
Professor Helen Carty, a senior member of the Royal College of Radiologists, told BBC News Online: "There may be patients with diseases who if they were diagnosed earlier could have a better chance of survival."
Professor Carty, who works as a consultant radiologist at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital, said the report was a fair summary of what is going on.
The report revealed 41% of the equipment used to carry out scans on the NHS is out-of-date.
Staff shortages
It also acknowledged a huge shortage of staff was contributing to many of the delays.
There is an estimated national shortage of 5,000 radiographers while almost one in seven radiologist posts are vacant.
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"There may be patients with diseases who if they were diagnosed earlier could have a better chance of survival" |
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Prof Helen Carty
Royal College of Radiologists |
The commission called on the Department of Health to draw up a national strategy to tackle these staff shortages.
However, the report also found some hospitals use their equipment much more effectively than others.
For example, some hospitals carry out 4,000 MRI scans each year while others complete just 2,000.
The commission urged NHS trusts to review the way they used the equipment to ensure they were being as productive as possible.
The controller of the Audit Commission, Sir Andrew Foster, said the findings highlighted the need for hospitals to learn from each other.
"There are concerns that some radiology services are creating a bottleneck in the system and delaying patient care," he said.
More equipment
The Department of Health said the situation had improved since the Audit Commission's figures were compiled.
A spokeswoman said: "Over £100m has already been provided for new equipment. In the 16 months since the Audit Commission data was collected there are 80 new CT scanners and 21 new MRI scanners in use in the NHS."
She added that a "major new initiative" to expand the radiology workforce is underway with extra training places and posts.
Mike Richards, the government's 'cancer czar', told the BBC the issues were being addressed as a "high priority".
"It is a very serious problem. It is being dealt with," he said.
But Mike Stone of the Patients' Association told the BBC: "This whole area does need looking at and the question need to be asked is when is it going to be looked at and when is it going to get better."
[BBC]
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Last Revised at December 10, 2007 by Lusine Kazoyan, M.D.
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