Radiology is under exceptional strain across the NHS. Over 430,000 patients waited longer than 6 weeks for imaging in early 2025—the highest since records began. Delays in MRI and CT reporting are now a leading contributor to diagnostic backlogs across urgent and cancer care pathways. Radiologist vacancies remain critical, with some trusts reporting over 29% unfilled posts, further exacerbated by rising demand from Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), virtual wards, and early detection programmes.
Technological variation adds complexity: many trusts still operate on fragmented PACS systems and legacy RIS software, limiting cross-ICS interoperability. While AI and digital triage tools show promise, adoption remains inconsistent and under-evaluated.
Timeliness of the Event:
The NHS 10-Year Health Plan, released July 2025, positions diagnostic imaging at the heart of healthcare reform. It supports the shift from hospital to community care, analogue to digital workflows, and reactive to preventive care. The Plan commits to:
- Full PACS interoperability across all ICSs by 2028.
- Scaling AI-enabled image triage and digital workflow in CDCs.
- £3.4 billion capital investment into diagnostic technology.
- Expansion of virtual ward imaging support and decentralised radiology access.
This summit convenes at a pivotal moment—policy direction is clear, but successful delivery demands unified leadership, scalable innovation, and robust governance.
Key Subjects Covered:
- Workforce solutions: Tackling shortages via skill mix, automation, and training pathways.
- AI and digital imaging: Evaluating AI triage, decision support, and scalable reporting tools.
- PACS and interoperability: Building cross-ICS imaging infrastructure with modern RIS and VNA.
- Community & virtual imaging: Supporting CDCs, home care, and virtual wards.
- Governance & safety: Managing risk, reporting delays, and ethical AI deployment.
- Pathway redesign: Imaging’s role in cancer diagnosis, CVD prevention, MSK triage, and frailty management.
Why Attend:
- Understand radiology’s alignment with the NHS 10-Year Plan.
- Learn from real-world AI, PACS modernisation, and CDC deployment.
- Access practical tools to improve workflow, turnaround, and workforce capacity.
- Explore governance, safety, and assurance frameworks for digital imaging.
- Collaborate across systems to future-proof NHS imaging.
- Take home strategic templates and operational toolkits.
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