Optimising Diagnostic Pathways in the NHS: A Health Analytical Solutions Perspective

• Richard Tuson
• /
• 17 Nov 2023

The Rising Demand for Diagnostics and Its Impact

Diagnostics are increasingly becoming a critical part of patient care pathways in the NHS. With this rise, there's a risk that diagnostics may turn into a bottleneck, potentially hindering the entire patient pathway. In this blog, we delve into the need for a thorough re-evaluation of diagnostic demand, capacity, and capability to understand the reasons behind this surge.

Health Analytical Solutions Ltd., with our expertise in health analytics, suggests that innovative approaches in Medical Technology could significantly improve this situation.

The Role of Medical Technology in Streamlining Pathways

Could the adoption of new medical technologies reduce the length of patient pathways? Are repetitive scans, resulting from prolonged treatment wait times, contributing to the bottleneck? These are crucial questions that need addressing.

Critical Statistics: A Snapshot of the Current State

• Patient Wait Times: As of May 2018, nearly 500,000 patients waited longer than 18 weeks for treatment.
• Volume of Scans: Over 21 million diagnostic scans were performed in the NHS during 2017/18.
• Comparison Over Time: In 2013/14, the number of patients receiving scans was significantly lower. This highlights a growing trend in diagnostic demand.

Addressing the System's Capacity to Meet Demand

Is the NHS system struggling to keep up with the increasing demand for diagnostics? Perhaps it's time to revisit strategies from the early 2000s, such as creating specialised treatment centres to alleviate pressure.

The Financial Implications of Diagnostic Scans

The cost of diagnostic scans is substantial. In 2016-17, over £789 million was paid to NHS Trusts and Independent providers for these services, with actual costs exceeding funded amounts by over £200 million. This financial strain is a significant concern, particularly in the context of the NHS's broader financial challenges.

Streamlining the Diagnostic Pathway: A Health Analytical Solutions Approach

As we face escalating demand in a financially constrained NHS, a comprehensive review of diagnostic equipment, capacity, and delivery methods is essential. Health Analytical Solutions Ltd. possesses the expertise to analyse complex data and identify pathways with a high diagnostic-to-surgery ratio, aiding in effective decision-making.

Engage with Health Analytical Solutions for In-Depth Insights

To learn more about how we can assist in understanding and addressing these challenges, feel free to contact us. If you found this post informative, please consider sharing it with your network on Twitter, LinkedIn, or via email.

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