Patients are waiting more than 30 days to get the results of x-rays and scans interpreted by a radiologist, a report by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has found.
A survey was carried out by the RCR of a quarter of English NHS radiology departments, which found 81,137 X-rays and 1697 CT and MRI scans where patients had waited more than 30 days for a radiologist's report.
Some departments surveyed had no problem with delayed reports while others were found to have major issues.
The RCR calculated that if the survey reflected national conditions, around 300,000 patients are waiting more than a month for their x-rays to be analysed currently, with 6000 waiting for CT and MRI scan results.
The delays mean longer waits diagnosing cancer and other serious illnesses, the RCR has called on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to investigate the extent of the delays and welcomed its recent commitment to include x-rays and scans as a core service to inspect.
More radiologists and better use of current staff have also been called for by the RDR in response to the survey results.
Dr Giles Maskell, president of the RCR, said: "This snapshot survey raises serious concerns for patient safety. Although most of these x-rays and scans will not show serious abnormalities, some will show findings which would allow an expert to diagnose cancer or another serious condition at a stage at which it could be cured.
"The RCR is wholly committed to improving the quality of services for patients and is keen to work with NHS England and others to find the solutions."
Dr Rosie Loftus, joint chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support said: "It is vital that people with cancer have rapid access to test results so they are diagnosed early, are treated quickly and have the best possible chance of survival. Of course, lengthy delays can also cause extra worry and concern for people at a time when they are most vulnerable."
