Surge in number of CT and MRI scans sent off-island amid staff shortages

The number of CT and MRI scans being sent off-island to external specialists has surged, as Jersey’s radiology department continues to face mounting pressure from staff shortages.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Law show outsourced reporting of CT scans more than tripled in 2025, while MRI reporting almost doubled.

Last year, 1,739 CT scans were outsourced to a private teleradiology provider, compared with 524 in 2024. Outsourced MRI reporting also rose from 196 to 377 cases over the same period.

Rising teleradiology bill

Health and Care Jersey spent £213,488 on teleradiology last year, up from £130,658 in 2024.

Teleradiology is the electronic transmission of medical images – such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs – from one location to another for interpretation by a radiologist. 

It allows radiologists to provide services remotely, enabling access to specialised expertise regardless of the patient’s location. 

Teleradiology was initially introduced in Jersey to provide coverage during evenings and improve compliance with national guidance regarding the management of head injuries.

It was later expanded to include elective reporting, giving Jersey-based radiologists more capacity for diagnostic tests that require physical presence rather than reporting.

Teleradiology work in Jersey is carried out by Telemedicine Clinic, which provides overnight and elective reporting for Jersey General Hospital.

An initial two-year contract, agreed in December 2022, moved onto a rolling monthly arrangement after expiring at the end of 2024 and remains in place.

A damning review

It comes after a Royal College of Physicians review found serious cultural problems within the radiology department, including that “aggression” and “gatekeeping” had affected access to diagnostic imaging.

And a report presented to the Health Advisory Board last year warned that MRI services are operating at “full capacity on both scanners and workforce”, with limited scope for expansion without additional funding.

It also noted that demand for CT imaging had increased significantly because of higher activity in the Emergency Department.

The papers acknowledged that department vacancies had created a growing reliance on outsourced reporting, which is generally slower than reporting completed in-house.

While outsourcing of advanced imaging increased sharply from 2024 to 2025, the number of plain-film X-rays sent to private providers fell substantially, from 9,221 to 3,179.

Out-of-hours emergency reporting also reduced slightly, falling from 630 cases to 534.

Overall radiology activity remained high, with Health and Care Jersey carrying out 77,140 scans in 2024 and 73,085 in 2025.

The response also confirmed that Health and Care Jersey is considering alternative private radiology companies for reporting work in future, although no further details were provided.

No radiology examinations were submitted to external companies for audit, peer review or quality assurance during either 2024 or 2025.