Diagnostic Imaging Network
Diagnostic imaging is a vital healthcare service provided in hospitals and community settings. Using a variety of machines and techniques, health care professionals are able to examine otherwise unattainable areas of the body and its systems. Diagnostic imaging is integral to many patient pathways and it is often required to help to diagnose conditions and support clinicians with decisions on possible treatment options.
Since 2018, the four acute hospital trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria have been working closely together to share best practice, knowledge, skills and sometimes, scanning capacity - in order to improve diagnostic service quality, reduce waiting times and variation for patients.
NHS England published a paper titled ‘Transforming Imaging Services in England: a national strategy for imaging networks’ in November 2019 - and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the four acute hospitals agreed that there were many benefits to working closely and collaboratively to enable continuous improvement of diagnostic imaging services for patients. The Lancashire and South Cumbria Diagnostic Imaging Network was therefore formally established in 2021.
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- University of Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Our Services
The services that form part of our network include:
- MRI
- CT
- Non-obstetric ultrasound
- Plain x-ray
- Radionuclide scans
- DEXA
Our Vision
We have an agreed, shared vision:
The diagnostic imaging network aims to achieve a high-quality, effective and accessible network of diagnostic imaging services throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria through:
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Efficiency
- Patient and staff focus
- Focus on quality
Our work to date
Each year, the Diagnostic Imaging Network sets and works on a number of agreed collaborative projects, supported by a central Network programme team. The aim is to drive improvements in areas including:
- Clinical pathways
- Quality and Performance
- Workforce
- IT and Digital Systems
- Procurement
- Data
For more information please contact: lsc.diagnosticimagingnetwork@nhs.net
Our Achievements and Successes in 2023/24
Following a successful 2022/2023, the imaging network programme team and our four provider trusts continued working closely together during 2023/24, to deliver collaborative projects, share best practice and provide support across organisations to problem-solve and deliver results.
The below infographic highlights just some of the key achievements and successes from the 2023/24 period.
What is outlined here has only been possible through collaboration, having shared goals and working closely with colleagues within all trusts across the network, along with wider teams and colleagues across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Intregrated Care system.
Our provider trust colleagues are contributing to this work in addition to meeting daily clinical or operational demands. We are extremely grateful to all colleagues for their continued hard work and the commitment shown to working together as a network as we all strive to continue improving our services for patients and staff.
Key Documentation
For more information please contact - lsc.diagnosticimagingnetwork@nhs.net. If you would like any of the PDFs in an accessible format please email lscicb.contact@nhs.net
Return to the LSC Diagnostics Collaborative page