Responding to the publication of Sir Mike Richards’ review into diagnostics services, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network said:

“We welcome Sir Mike Richard’s review into diagnostics services, which rightly calls for the NHS to maximise the use of independent sector capacity to help clear the backlog of delayed and cancelled tests.

“The report makes important recommendations including the need to double CT scanning capacity over the next five years and significantly expand capacity in other key modalities including MRI and PET-CT. A clear recommendation that the NHS should rapidly establish community diagnostic hubs is also welcome and will need to be delivered using a blend of public and private expertise and capital.

“This important report now needs delivering at pace using all parts of the healthcare system to realise its overall ambition of recovering and renewing diagnostic services for patients.”