Record delays for tests at Bedford Hospital
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Record delays for a range of medical tests were logged at Bedford Hospital Trust in March, as services across the NHS were suspended during the Covid-19 crisis.
Medical experts warn longer waits caused by the pandemic are likely to continue, with some seriously ill patients potentially missing out on cures.
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NHS trusts provide information on how long people have been waiting for 15 key tests at the end of each month.
The procedures are used to diagnose a wide range of diseases and conditions, including cancers, heart failure, sleep disorders and hearing problems.
According to NHS rules, after someone is referred for one of the tests, they should have it completed within six weeks.
But NHS England data shows 160 patients at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust had been kept longer than that at the end of March.
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At 4 per cent of those on the waiting list, this was the highest rate of hold-ups for the month since comparable local records began in 2014.
It was also above the national standard that less than 1% of patients should wait six weeks or more.
Of those who were not seen on time, three had been on the list at least 13 weeks.
Across England, the number of delays at the end of March shot up to 85,400 – the most for any month since the target was introduced in 2008.
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At 10.2 per cent of those waiting, this was also by far the highest proportion delayed over the period.
Dr Jeanette Dickson, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said the coronavirus will have a heavy impact on certain test waits for the foreseeable future.
“While the NHS will aim to prioritise the patients with the most life-threatening conditions, some with serious illnesses have minor symptoms and so may be missed,” she added.
“Although we cannot give definite numbers, it is likely some patients with cancer may have growth of their disease while waiting for a scan, potentially losing their chance of a cure."
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The most common type of test to see delays at Bedford Hospital in March was an ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves that can detect tumours – 98 people had been waiting at least six weeks.
This was followed by 14 for gastroscopy, which can be used to diagnose various problems with parts of the digestive system.
Another 13 people were held up for colonoscopy, which is useful as a check for certain bowel conditions.