Radiology errors cost NHS trust over £1.5m in compensation payouts

Newly released data has highlighted the high financial and human cost of diagnostic mistakes within the NHS, with radiology errors continuing to generate substantial compensation payouts across England.

Figures obtained by Medical Negligence Assist show that Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has paid out more than £1.5 million in compensation since 2020 to patients who brought claims linked to radiology errors.

Radiology negligence has become one of the fastest-growing areas of clinical claims. Over the past decade, the number of settled radiology-related cases has risen by 30%, representing one of the sharpest increases across all major medical negligence specialities.

Each year, NHS radiology departments carry out millions of diagnostic scans, the vast majority of which are completed safely and accurately. However, when mistakes occur, such as missed findings, delayed reporting, or scans not being carried out at all, the consequences for patients can be severe. Errors at this stage can lead to delayed diagnoses, incorrect treatment plans, and avoidable harm.

Sophie Cope, medical negligence solicitor for JF Law, said: “Radiology is a key part of modern healthcare and includes diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans and ultrasounds. These tools are a vital step in identifying a patient’s condition and ensuring they receive the appropriate treatment.

“When something goes wrong at this stage, whether a scan is carried out to a poor standard, misinterpreted, delayed, or never carried out in the first place, the impact on a patient’s health can be profound.”

Between 2020 and 2025, 46 claims relating to radiology errors were brought against Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. Of these, 21 cases were settled. The highest number of claims was recorded in 2024/25, when 20 claims were lodged against the trust.

In recent years, national reviews of NHS radiology services have repeatedly raised concerns about increasing workloads and staffing pressures. The Royal College of Radiologists has consistently warned of a shortage of consultant radiologists, which increases the risk of reporting backlogs and diagnostic mistakes.

Radiology errors can arise for a variety of reasons, including human error, inadequate supervision, outdated imaging equipment or system failures. These incidents are typically categorised as diagnostic errors, which are widely regarded as some of the most serious patient safety events because of their direct impact on clinical outcomes.

Data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist shows that Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has paid a total of £1,564,838 in compensation for radiology-related claims over the past five years. The largest single annual payout occurred in 2024/25, when compensation reached £1,151,180.

The trust’s figures form part of a much wider national picture. According to NHS Resolution, 2,163 radiology negligence claims have been made against NHS Trusts across England since 2020. Of these, 1,520 cases were settled, with total compensation payments amounting to £231,680,410.

These claims cover a wide range of patient harm, including missed cancer diagnoses and fatal outcomes. 

However, the most frequently recorded injury category associated with radiology negligence was unnecessary pain, which accounted for 261 claims during the five-year period.

Speaking to Medical Negligence Assist, Sophie Cope said: “Radiology errors can often lead to missed fractures, undiagnosed cancers or serious conditions being mistaken for something minor and these mistakes can have life-changing consequences.  

“Some errors may result in additional pain and suffering, prolonged illness, the need for more invasive treatment or prolonged recovery, and other errors can be catastrophic.

“Many of these errors are avoidable. When a patient is harmed because standards have fallen short, they have every right to question what went wrong. If someone suspects a radiology error has caused them harm, it’s vital they seek legal advice both to ensure lessons are learned and also to allow them access to compensation intended to help them rebuild their life.”

Medical Negligence Assist offers support to patients who may have suffered harm as a result of radiology negligence and can see if they have grounds to submit a claim.

They operate a 24-hour helpline, with an online claim form too, which you can access on their website.