MRI scan results wait described as a nightmare

A woman who has been waiting nearly seven weeks for the results of a MRI scan on her breast says the delay has been a nightmare.

Sophie Morris, 41, from Llandudno Junction, has regular screening tests due to a history of breast cancer in her family.

Betsi Cadwladr Health Board has only one screening radiologist at the moment who works for Breast Test Wales as part of Public Health Wales.

The health board said there was a national shortage of radiologists but it was working to improve the situation.

Ms Morris has no symptoms of breast cancer, but as several of her family have had the disease, she receives more regular screenings to keep check.

It has been more than six weeks since her MRI scan but she still has not received the results.

"I called loads of different people, spoke to I don’t know how many secretaries saying 'oh yeah, yeah we'll get it sorted, don't worry'," she said.

"I spoke to one last time and they said no one looked [at the results], and three weeks had passed.

"It's now almost seven weeks since I had [the MRI scan] and still no result."

Sophie added: "I can't stop thinking about it, if I have any kind of pain or niggle in the breast I think it's worse, and there's no one who can go 'it's ok, don't worry' because I don’t know if I need to worry.

"And it also angers me because I think how many other people are in this situation."

The delay that Sophie has experienced does not affect the results of the scans of symptomatic patients or emergency cases.

"I would like to get my results but I would also like it if Betsi Cadwaladr changes the process so that I am not expected to wait like this," she said.

"This doesn't just affect me, it affects other women and what I would say to them if they are expecting results is go to the department and ask where your results are.

"Don't wait because the time it takes can be the difference between living and dying. That's the important thing in this is people's lives."

Dr Nick Lyons, executive medical director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “There is a national shortage of both breast screening radiologists and symptomatic radiologists, which has made recruitment very challenging for NHS organisations across the UK.

"At present we have only one screening radiologist doing sessions within the health board, and they are employed by Breast Test Wales.

“It is important to note that symptomatic patients, including those whose clinical need is considered urgent, are unaffected by this issue, as their MRI scans are reported upon by health board employed consultant radiologists.

"Our radiology services receive 11,000 imaging referrals each week and we regularly meet the national target times for providing and reporting examinations, with performance around this monitored closely.

“Our radiology teams share the reported results with the referring clinician, who will communicate these to the patient. Some patients can wait longer than we would like to receive their results, and we are working to improve this.”

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “We recognise the growing demand on radiology services, and have been working with the NHS to ensure patients are diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.

“We are investing heavily in cancer services to improve diagnosis and access to high-quality care, and we have also launched a national programme to support recovery in cancer waiting times with £2 million per year for three years."