NHS Improvement � Supporting the delivery of high quality and effective diagnostic services

Welcome to NHS Improvement - Diagnostics

Latest news

1 Feb - New publication for long term conditions
31 Jan - Please give feedback on our website
4 Jan - IQ Issue 5 (Trauma interventions)
3 Jan - NHS Cervical Screening Programme Annual Review 2011
3 Jan - Latest radiology eBulletin
14 Dec - Cytology results for women in two weeks
31 Oct - Interventional radiology - service provision mapping

Cytology Results for Women - 98.6 % of women get results in two weeks !

The new report from the Department of Health, 'Improving Outcomes - A Strategy for Cancer Annual Report 2011' indicates that 98.6% of women have received their cervical screening test results within two weeks.

Dr Simon Knowles, National Clinical Lead for Cytology Service Improvement commented: "The progress this year has been fantastic and puts labs in a very strong position to start rolling out reflex testing for high risk HPV across England while still maintaining a timely service for women."

NHS Improvement learning documents:
Two documents have been instrumental in achieving these excellent results:


Soundbites:
These films also share best practice in achieving a two-week turnaround of cervical screening test results.

NHS Improvement - Diagnostics

Find out about the work of NHS Improvement - Diagnostics
Extract taken from The best of clinical pathway design: practical examples delivering benefits to patients

Our vision

To support clinical excellence through process excellence

Our mission

NHS Improvement - Diagnostics works to deliver evidence-based sustainable, effective improvements, aligned to national priorities with measurable outcomes by:

  • testing and supporting practical implementation of service redesign methods
  • demonstrating a “how to” approach to achieve sustainable effective patient pathways and systems to improve the efficiency and quality of NHS services.
  • sharing the learning, demonstrating increased impact and value for money.*
  • All National Improvement leads will demonstrate all measures and outcomes for all in a standard way

NHS Improvement: ‘An integrated approach to improvement – work programme for the next three years’ (2008)

Our role

  • provide service improvement and redesign expertise, including Lean and Six Sigma methodology
  • provide clinical and managerial expertise in radiology and pathology
  • support the delivery of timely access, high quality and effective patient centered diagnostic services
  • support the delivery of NHS guidelines and Department of Health policy
  • work in partnership with the Department of Health Imaging and Pathology teams


A comprehensive online resource of improvement tools, including Patient Pathway Analyser, Statistical Process Control and Capacity and Demand, to support quality improvement in NHS services.

The system supports radiology, pathology and cytology and is available free to every NHS organisation in England.

To logon or register, click on the Improvement System icon above.


Cytology Assessment Tool

Commissioning a World Class Imaging Service

Video thoughts - Achieving the 14 day turnaround time in cytology

Radiology & Pathology Lean Methodology

Radiology Case Studies

Pathology Case Studies


Further Resources

Pathology eBulletin
NHS Improvement Diagnostics produce a quarterly eBulletin.
Download the latest edition - to subscribe, please email info@improvement.nhs.uk

Radiology eBulletin
NHS Improvement Diagnostics produce a quarterly eBulletin. Download the latest edition - to subscribe, please email info@improvement.nhs.uk

NHS Cervical Screening Programme Annual Review 2011

'Learning How To Achieve a Seven Day Turnaround Time in Histopathology'
Download the report launched 4 November, 2010

Download: The Radiology Reporting Times - Best Practice Guidance

Download: "Why Treat Stroke and TIA’s as Emergencies?”(PDF)

Download: "Bringing Lean to Life" (PDF)