Ramsay Health Care UK and Lister Hospital: Straight to Test initiative

Pinehill Hospital, part of Ramsay Health Care UK and Lister Hospital, part of the East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust, has built a strong partnership to ease pressures on the NHS, particularly in cancer diagnostics and MRI scanning.

To enhance the efficiency of the Trusts diagnostic services, Lister Hospital collaborated with Pinehill to introduce the Straight to Test (STT) initiative. The STT service is a healthcare initiative aimed at expediting the diagnosis of certain cancers, the service involves a collaborative effort with various healthcare providers to ensure timely investigation and patient care. Patients are referred by their GP directly to the Trust (Lister Hospital) for a diagnosis and to help keep ensure the two week maximum wait is met, Pinehill Hospital has helped provide an alternative location where the diagnosis can take place.

Over an eight-month period, Pinehill saw 462 patients, providing rapid diagnostic support which enabled faster screening and timely follow-up care. This partnership not only improved diagnostic speed and patient flow, but the overall patient experience by offering faster access to scans and greater clarity for next steps. Additionally, East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust is one of only a very few Trusts meeting all three cancer access standards, which has been aided by Pinehill’s support

Following this success, Pinehill was asked to collaborate with Lister Hospital on MRI services, speeding up access to scans for over 1,000 patients and now supporting an additional 1,500 by March 2026. While the original focus was on orthopaedic MRIs, the scope has expanded to include a broader range of scans. The partnership has enabled the Trust to increase diagnostic capacity and enabled faster access to routine scanning. In February 2026, Pinehill opened a new MRI suite. This £1.9m investment, made by Ramsay Health Care UK, will further enhance diagnostic capabilities and strengthen Pinehill’s role in cancer diagnostics and imaging.