Introduction:

Front-line NHS staff are continuing to deliver greater levels of care, as NHS England reports that staff have delivered planned care at record levels this summer_[1]. At the same time, NHS Wales saw waiting times relating to diagnostic patient pathways decrease _[2], and Public Health Scotland also reported increased attendances and reduced waiting times over the summer months _[3].

Demand for NHS health services has also remained at record levels, however. As we move into Autumn, NHS Trusts are already braced for the additional service pressures brought about by the winter months, as flu and other respiratory illnesses increase.

With a summer of record temperatures and speculation around an early flu season in 2026 _[4], we’re potentially seeing a compression of seasonal pressures becoming evident; with little respite for front line personnel and ongoing backlogs to potentially affect patient care outcomes.

The impact of backlogs and the role of Teleradiology Reporting Services:

Backlogs running outside of target lead-times exacerbates the health of patients with existing conditions, particularly where delays can result in disease progression or chronic conditions becoming more complex, ahead of scheduled intervention taking place. This can result in serious implications for the patient - as reported in the BMJ that each month’s delay to starting treatment can increase the risk of death by around 10%, in people with cancer_[5].

Staff shortages and the need for diagnostic services to help challenge backlogs and reporting delays, has meant that many NHS Trusts continue to work with Teleradiology Reporting providers (such as AMRADNET UK) to support busy periods and seasonal spikes in demand.

Working with several suppliers of teleradiology reporting helps trusts ensure that spikes in volume are handled within routine elected capacity or agreed parameters for an urgent Turn Around Time (TAT). This approach also facilitates that highly specialised reporting requirements are matched to the correct radiologist in a timely manner, protecting patient care and optimising health outcomes.

Approach and Services:

AMRADNET UK is new to the UK Teleradiology Reporting market but has a rich 22-year history of delivering successful services in the US. The company employs highly qualified and specialist, UK radiologists – all with vast NHS experience, supported by a robust Clinical Governance framework aligned to NHS England standards. The framework ensures high-quality reporting and expert care to support improved patient outcomes.

Governance Framework:

CQC Registered provider

SLA Monitored Turnaround

ISO9001:2015 certification

NHS DSPT & UK GDPR compliance

Jon Priddle, AMRADNET UK Managing Director, commented:

“We’re a relatively new business in the UK Teleradiology reporting market, but our team has significant UK industry experience. We’re already engaged with several trusts and are ready to support the NHS with additional reporting capacity, particularly as winter pressures begin to have an impact.”

AMRADNET UK Teleradiology services span several reporting options to suit Routine Elective Services, delivered to bespoke SLA or from a Turn Around Time (TAT) of 24-hours (next day) up to 96-hour reporting. In addition, the company delivers Interventional Radiology Support, Cross-modality scanning reporting support, as well as partnership with Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) to support clinical expertise and operational insight.