"Additional investment required" to deal with radiology waiting times

Wednesday 02 March 2022

Nearly four in ten patients are waiting longer for radiology appointments than the agreed target waiting times under the island's secondary healthcare scheme.

In 2021, only 65% of radiology patients were seen within waiting times agreed between the States and the Medical Specialist Group. The target is 95%.

The annual report on key performance indicators in secondary healthcare - released at 12 noon today - states: “The demand for radiology services has increased exponentially which has resulted in the service being met routinely with a demand that exceeds the capacity.

“This is particularly noticeable in respect of the demand for MRIs.

“Additional investment is required to recruit an additional radiologist and to increase the operational hours of the service to improve on these results.”

Pictured: Radiology waiting times were among various targets missed in 2021, the reasons for which are explained in an annual report on secondary healthcare released today.

The Committee for Health & Social Care and the Medical Specialist Group praised the “exceptional support” of the public while they ran secondary healthcare services during another year dominated by the covid-19 pandemic. 

The report on key performance indicators shows a range of areas of success and improvements. These include correct use of off-island procedures, resolving complaints within target times and meeting expected times for operating theatres.

It also highlights where improvements are necessary - especially waiting times. 

As well as in radiology, target waiting times were missed in the emergency department and for inpatient and outpatient appointments.  

Emergency department waiting times fell just short of the target of 95% of patients being admitted or discharged within four hours of arrival - with a figure of 89% achieved, which compares favourably with 74% in the UK's National Health Service. 

Target waiting times for emergency, urgent, cancer and routine referrals were achieved for 71% of outpatients and 61% of inpatients, but 94% were seen within six months of referral.

Pictured: Waiting times at accident and emergency fell just short of the annual target.

The contract between the States and the Medical Specialist Group provides some of the most critical services to the public.

The two organisations said that the report published annually provides the public with information about performance and assurance that their services are focussed on quality and safety for patients.

Dr Peter Rabey, Medical Director of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, said the pandemic has had a significant impact on services.

“Our continuing response to the covid-19 pandemic throughout 2021 had a profound impact on the delivery of health and social care services, with all aspects impacted to a greater or lesser extent,” he said.

“The support of the public has once again been exceptional and has made a real difference to all that has been achieved during this unprecedented time.

“Staff have worked exceptionally hard to reduce backlogs caused by the first and second lockdowns.”

Dr Rabey said improved record systems will assist in service targets being met in the future.

“The Hospital Modernisation Programme, along with a new, modern electronic patient records system, will help Health and Social Care and the Medical Specialist Group to improve the key performance indicators by reducing waiting times and streamlining administrative processes,” he said.

Pictured: Dr Peter Rabey, Medical Director of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

Notable successes included coming within 1% of meeting expected timings for operating theatres.

Medical Specialist Group Chairman Dr Gary Yarwood said that many of the agreed targets were met in 2021.

"Despite another difficult year for patients, clinicians and our support staff in 2021, it’s good to see that we are achieving many of the targets that have been set," said Dr Yarwood.

‘The clinical outcome measures, which are the ones that matter most to patients, are excellent with low return to theatre rate, low hospital acquired infection rate, low day patient admission rate and low readmission rate.

Pictured: The report sets performance against agreed targets for a range of health services, such as inpatient appointments and procedures. 

"Waiting times continue to be challenging and the impact of two lockdowns will take some time to clear.

"We are in a much stronger position than the NHS where the backlog is significantly greater, but we appreciate that is no consolation to patients in Guernsey who are having to wait longer for an appointment or an operation than they expected.

"Our patients come first, always, and we never want to let them down. We will continue to work in partnership with Health & Social Care to provide excellent services for the Bailiwick and I am proud of the quality of care that we achieve."