Recently released data has highlighted the scale of radiology-related clinical negligence claims within the NHS, underscoring the mounting strain on diagnostic services nationwide.
Figures obtained by Medical Negligence Assist show that University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust has faced more than ten clinical negligence claims linked to radiology errors since 2020.
Radiology plays a central role in modern healthcare, supporting millions of diagnostic decisions each year. While the overwhelming majority of scans are completed safely, mistakes at this stage can have serious consequences, including missed or delayed diagnoses, inappropriate treatment plans and avoidable patient harm.
The wider national picture highlights a growing concern. Over the past decade, the number of settled radiology negligence claims has risen by 30%, making it one of the fastest-growing categories among clinical negligence claims.
Sophie Cope, medical negligence solicitor for JF Law, said: “Radiology is a key part of modern healthcare and includes diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans and ultrasounds. These tools are a vital step in identifying a patient’s condition and ensuring they receive the appropriate treatment.
“When something goes wrong at this stage, whether a scan is carried out to a poor standard, misinterpreted, delayed, or never carried out in the first place, the impact on a patient’s health can be profound.”
Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 11 radiology-related claims were lodged against University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. The highest number occurred in 2020/21, when six claims were recorded.
Ongoing NHS reviews have repeatedly highlighted the pressures facing radiology departments, with workforce shortages and rising demand placing increasing strain on services. The Royal College of Radiologists has consistently warned that a lack of consultant radiologists increases the risk of reporting backlogs and avoidable diagnostic errors.
Radiology mistakes can arise from a range of factors, including human error, insufficient supervision, outdated imaging equipment and system pressures. These incidents are typically classified as diagnostic errors, among the most serious patient safety failures because they can directly affect outcomes and survival rates.
National figures compiled by NHS Resolution show that 2,163 radiology error claims have been brought against NHS trusts across the UK since 2020. Of these, 1,520 cases were settled, with total compensation payments reaching £231.7 million.
Many of these claims involved severe outcomes, including undiagnosed cancers and fatalities. However, the most commonly cited injury linked to radiology negligence was unnecessary pain, accounting for 261 claims over the five-year period.
Speaking to Medical Negligence Assist, Sophie Cope said: “Radiology errors can often lead to missed fractures, undiagnosed cancers or serious conditions being mistaken for something minor and these mistakes can have life-changing consequences.
“Some errors may result in additional pain and suffering, prolonged illness, the need for more invasive treatment or prolonged recovery, and other errors can be catastrophic.
“Many of these errors are avoidable. When a patient is harmed because standards have fallen short, they have every right to question what went wrong. If someone suspects a radiology error has caused them harm, it’s vital they seek legal advice both to ensure lessons are learned and also to allow them access to compensation intended to help them rebuild their life.”
Medical Negligence Assist offers support to patients who may have suffered harm as a result of radiology negligence and can see if they have grounds to submit a claim.
They operate a 24-hour helpline, with an online claim form too, which you can access on their website.
