Waiting times for diagnostic tests 

If one of our hospital doctors arranges for you to have a diagnostic test, you should have your test within six weeks. This includes tests such as an MRI or CT scan or an endoscopy procedure.

Simple x-rays and blood tests are not part of this measure, but should also be done quickly.

What's the standard?

Less than 1% of patients should wait more than six weeks for a diagnostic test.

How are we doing?

Our recent performance:

• March 2017 – 1% of our patients waited more than six weeks for a diagnostic test
• February – 1.3%
• January – 1.8%.

We just missed the target in March 2017. This was due to an increase in activity as we worked hard to treat more patients.

We expect our performance to steadily improve and to achieve this target in the next few months. Most patients waited less than four weeks for their tests.

Find out more

For more information about waiting times, see NHS Choices.

Got a question?

If you have a question about or comment on this information, please contact the communications team at communicationsteam@gstt.nhs.uk.