Hundreds facing scan delays

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A global shortage of medical isotopes used in scans of hearts, bones, kidneys and some cancers will cause delays and cancellations across the UK in the coming weeks.

British hospitals are currently receiving less than 50% of expected supplies and rations are expected to drop even further, the experts warned.

The isotopes are used in more than 80% of routine diagnostic nuclear imaging procedures.

Professor Alan Perkins, honorary secretary at the British Nuclear Medicine Society, said: "The expected number of people who will be affected is quite difficult to determine at the moment. But we are certainly talking about hundreds of patients here.

"The procedures include cardiac blood flow imaging, bone scanning looking for secondary tumours, lymph node detection in breast cancer and renal function, which is commonly done in children. These patients are going to be facing delays. Clinicians will be addressing the issue on the basis of clinical need."

Prof Perkins said doctors would have the option to use alternative tracers or alternative imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance tomography, in some non-urgent cases.

"But some patients will receive suboptimal diagnostic observation," he said as part of an article on bmj.com, the online website for the British Medical Journal (BMJ). "It will slow up the system."

Prof Perkins also warned that a Government target to scan patients within six weeks could mean some doctors give patients inappropriate tests.

Patients may be given other tests to ensure they do not fall outside the six-week target but it could mean they are not receiving best care, he said. "Patients may be put through inappropriate tests to make sure patients do not breach the six-week pathway."