Nearly half of NHS acute trusts in England are failing to meet an interim target on diagnostic test waiting times, as growing demand and workforce shortages continue to strain imaging services, new analysis shows.
Data released by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) indicate that long waits for vital tests such as CT and MRI scans remain widespread, raising concerns about delayed diagnosis and treatment for serious conditions including cancer and stroke.
Targets Missed by Many Trusts
In September 2025, 46% of NHS acute trusts in England did not meet an interim NHS target stating that no more than 20% of patients should wait six weeks or longer for a diagnostic test. Overall, more than 386,000 people waited longer than six weeks for testing, accounting for around one in five patients on diagnostic waiting lists.
The total number of people waiting for any diagnostic test exceeded 1.7 million, the third highest level since records began. Patients in the East of England were the most likely to experience prolonged waits, highlighting regional variation in access to timely diagnostics.
While trusts have until 2027 to meet the interim 20% target, progress remains slow. The NHS’s longer-standing national ambition is for no more than 1% of patients to wait six weeks or more for a test, a target that has not been achieved since 2015.
Imaging Demand Continues to Rise
The pressure is particularly acute for CT and MRI scans, which play a central role in diagnosing and managing time-critical conditions. In September alone, more than 74,000 patients waited longer than six weeks for one of these scans.
Over the past year, demand has continued to climb. Between October 2024 and September 2025, an average of 500,563 people were waiting each month for a CT or MRI scan. This represents an increase of almost 19,000 patients per month compared with the previous year. The RCR warns that this sustained rise in demand risks worsening backlogs at trusts already struggling to deliver timely care.
Workforce Shortages Drive Delays
The organisation points to a critical shortage of specialist staff as a key factor behind the delays. Its 2024 workforce census found a 30% shortfall of radiologists in England, meaning services lack enough doctors to meet current demand. The RCR is calling for the upcoming NHS 10-Year Workforce Plan to prioritise expanding the radiology workforce and managing demand more effectively, including wider adoption of imaging referral guidelines to ensure scans are used appropriately and waiting lists reduced.
Reference
The Royal College of Radiologists. Nearly half of NHS trusts missing test waiting time target as backlogs grow. Published: 1 Dec 2025. Available at: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/news-policy/latest-updates/nearly-half-of-nhs-trusts-missing-test-waiting-time-target-as-backlogs-grow/. Last accessed: 23 Dec 2025.
