- NHS hospital
Thomas Linacre Centre
Assessment report published 13 May 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
As part of the comprehensive assessment of the Thomas Linacre Centre, we inspected diagnostic imaging at the location on 6 and 7 January 2026. Diagnostic imaging mainly comprises the breast screening unit, which runs the South Lancashire Breast Screening Service as well as additional imaging for symptomatic patients referred separately into the service. Breast screening occurs both at the location and in 3 mobile breast screening units which routinely move sites across the service’s catchment area and work in conjunction with the outpatient breast service. Some breast screening also occurs at other fixed locations owned by the provider trust and is not within the scope of this assessment.
Diagnostic imaging at this location also comprises a suite where other imaging is performed, which includes 2 general (plain film) X-ray, 2 ultrasound machines and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner. This equipment is staffed and managed as part of the trust’s wider diagnostic imaging provision and is separate from the breast screening service. Where applicable in the report, this area of activity is referred to as ‘other imaging services’ at the location.
We noted that some obstetric ultrasound also occurred in the antenatal suite at the location. While we inspected the premises and spoke to some staff from this area, ratings in this case are determined by the maternity assessment as part of the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary location.
We rated diagnostic imaging as good. Staff understood the community they served, were focused on providing the best possible care for patients and were well qualified and experienced to deliver the activity. Both the breast imaging service and other imaging services audited their activity to ensure effectiveness and learned from their findings.
However, the breast screening service could not always evidence that radiologist staffing was sufficient to consistently meet the needs of patients requiring breast scans, which meant that diagnostic and treatment times for some patients was a historical and ongoing concern.
People's experience of this service
During the assessment we spoke with patients who provided positive feedback about the service. Patients said that staff were “very helpful”, and we noted that some patients had returned to the service routinely for many years. Many patients told us that staff were skilled in managing their anxieties about the imaging procedures and any associated findings and were confident that staff would keep them safe.
Patients were given clear information before their appointments, including safety forms and scan details. We heard from a patient that they “had never missed an appointment due to lack of info”. Communication was adapted as needed, with British Sign Language (BSL) and interpretation services available when required.