Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what national data are collected on the time taken to inform patients in England of clinically significant diagnostic test results following verification of those results; whether NHS England has issued guidance on the maximum acceptable interval for communicating such results to patients; and what action is taken when delays in communication pose a risk to patient safety.

The Department does not hold this data centrally.

Prompt access to diagnostic test results is a Government priority. Digital imaging reports should be automatically available to patients four weeks after formal verification on the Radiology Information System or equivalent. NHS England’s March 2025 guidance on patient digital notification of diagnostic imaging reports is available on the NHS England website in an online-only format.

National Health Service trust patient safety leads, or integrated care boards where trusts have no dedicated team, are responsible for taking action when communication poses a risk to patient safety.