More than 2,000 islanders are currently waiting over six weeks for diagnostic tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and endoscopies, it has emerged.
The scale of the delays was revealed in the latest Health Advisory Board papers, which include a graph showing a sharp rise in wait times over the past year.
In April 2024, around 500 people were waiting more than six weeks for diagnostic tests.
By April 2025, that number had increased more than fourfold to 2,266.
The target is for less than 350 islanders to be waiting over six weeks for diagnostic assessments at any time.
Endoscopy was identified as the “biggest area of concern” in the recent report, with pressure also on ultrasound, MRI, CT and DEXA (bone density) scans.
Ultrasound delays were linked to a staffing vacancy, though a new team member was due to begin work at the end of May.
Health officials expect the longest wait times to drop from 26 weeks to 12 weeks by August, and to reach the six-week standard by autumn.
Endoscopy capacity has also been reduced due to the absence of a specialist nurse, leading to what the report described as “significant external costs”.
Extra demand from Jersey’s recently expanded bowel cancer screening programme is also contributing to pressure on the service.
An interim plan has been put in place, which includes changing doctors’ schedules, adding Saturday clinics, reviewing the current waiting list, and trialling new “sponge” technology to speed up gastroscopies.
A third consultant is also expected to be appointed by early 2026.
Cardiac CT delays are described as being caused by “several complex factors”, with a “plan for eliminating the long waits” currently being worked up by radiology and cardiology consultants.
MRI wait times are improving following the success of a trial which involved running the hospital’s two scanners concurrently.
The average wait time for a scan is now six weeks, with the longest around 13.