- NHS hospital
Queens Hospital
Assessment report published 12 May 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
Date of assessment. 11 November 2025. This was a scheduled assessment as diagnostic imaging has never been inspected at Queen’s Hospital Burton. We looked at all quality statements across the Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well Led key questions.
Diagnostic imaging refers to non-invasive procedures using technology to create visual representations of the body’s internal structures. This aids medical staff in diagnosing, treating and monitoring diseases and injuries. During our inspection we visited: accident and emergency x-ray and computed tomography (CT), outpatient department X-ray and CT scanners, breast clinic, maternity outpatients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluoroscopy. Accident and emergency X-ray and CT scanners are used to quickly check for injuries after sudden illness or accidents, while outpatient X‑ray and CT scans are done during planned appointments to investigate symptoms. Breast clinics provide tests for breast concerns, and maternity outpatients support routine pregnancy check‑ups. MRI creates detailed images of the body without radiation, and fluoroscopy is a moving X‑ray that shows how parts of the body work in real time.
Following this assessment, we rated the service as Good.
During the inspection we spoke with members of staff including radiographers, radiologists, physicists, imaging assistants, sonographers, receptionists, and managers. We also received feedback from patients who were using the service.
The service demonstrated a strong learning culture where people felt able to raise concerns, and staff routinely reported incidents which were investigated thoroughly. People were protected from harm through effective risk management.
Facilities and equipment were clean, safe, and well maintained.
Care was aligned with current evidence and good practice, and people were given clear information to support healthy living and to help them make informed decisions about their treatment.
Care was delivered with compassion and kindness. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and supported one another.
However, staff did not always feel supported by leaders and in some areas. Some staff felt they didn’t have the right mix of people with the right skills to do the job properly.
People's experience of this service
Patients provided mostly positive feedback. They described staff as kind, caring and helpful. They told us that they felt able to ask questions and that staff took the time to provide clear explanations, which helped patients feel reassured and prepared. One patient, who had been attending the service for several years for treatment, said staff were always supportive and continued to offer helpful information throughout their care. People felt they received good care and appreciated the opportunity to talk through their concerns. They told us staff were happy to answer additional questions and made the experience feel comfortable. One person said they had ‘a fantastic experience’.
Patients told us their appointments usually ran on time and that the process felt smooth and well organised. Patients told us that they only waited only a short time, usually around 5 to 10 minutes, before being seen.
Patients mostly felt the service communicated well, with one patient explaining that their GP requested an X-ray urgently and they received an appointment letter within a few days. However, one patient told us they were due to return to their GP for follow-up. However, results, particularly MRI results, could sometimes be delayed, which occasionally required their GP to chase for updates.
One patient raised concerns about the gowns provided for procedures. They felt the gowns were not suitable for sitting in public waiting areas, as the ties did not offer enough coverage and left them feeling exposed.
We reviewed NHS Friends and Family Test feedback collected from May to October 2025. This indicated that patients attending for diagnostic imaging were generally satisfied with the care that they received. Patients reported an average satisfaction score of 94% over all imaging departments.