- NHS hospital
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Assessment report published 15 July 2026
Contents
Ratings - Diagnostic imaging
Our view of the service
We conducted a comprehensive inspection of diagnostic imaging services at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 30 April 2026. The team comprised of a CQC inspector and a specialist advisor. A team comprising of 2 CQC inspectors revisited the service on 7 May to conduct interviews with senior leaders in the service. The inspection took place due to intelligence of concern about the service. Furthermore, there had never been a standalone inspection of the diagnostic imaging services assessment service group. The service was last inspected in 2014 as part of the former outpatients and diagnostic imaging core service where it was rated good overall. During this inspection, the service was rated requires improvement overall.
Some imaging equipment was aged and staff did not always perform quality assurance testing. There were gaps in cleaning records viewed on site. There were not always enough staff in the service, and not all staff completed mandatory training. The service did not offer a 24/7 MRI service, meaning that cauda equina syndrome guidelines may not be met. The service felt knock-on effects of staff shortages in other departments such as radiopharmacy which led to patient cancellations. Turnaround times for examinations were mixed, and while some modalities met targets, others did not. There were long waits for cardiac computed tomography scans. The service did not always actively seek patient feedback. Information was not always available in languages other than English. Staff could not always access Tier 1 and 2 training on learning disability and autism. Staff did not always feel engaged about how changes under the Hospital Transformation Programme would affect them. The service did not participate in any research at the time of inspection. There were breaches of regulation relating to non-compliance in mandatory training, and turnaround times for some examinations.
However, there were safe systems and pathways in place, staff reported incidents, managers investigated incidents and the service learned from them. Staff had good awareness of safeguarding practices and had completed safeguarding training. The environment and equipment generally supported the delivery of safe care. Staff managed medicines well. Staff received appraisals and had good opportunities for career development. Staff delivered evidence-based care and had access to policies and protocols which were up to date and in line with best practice. Radiologists and reporting radiographers participated in radiology events and learning meetings in line with Royal College of Radiologists guidance. The service had a programme of local audits in place. Staff worked well together, and treated each other and patients with kindness, respect, and dignity. They explained care and treatment to gain informed consent and had access to translation services. Leaders were visible, approachable, and had a good understanding of the service they led. Staff felt able to speak up without fear. The service showed examples of innovation.
People's experience of this service
Patients reported a negative experience regarding car parking, describing the need to leave home significantly earlier to secure a space and avoid missing appointments. Feedback was otherwise positive, particularly in relation to access and patient experience. All of the patients we spoke with spoke positively about their experience of care. They said they did not have to wait too long for their appointment, in some cases quicker than the referrer had advised. Patients said they received clear directions and information about the appointment before attending so they knew what to expect. They were happy with how staff treated them and were particularly positive about the walk-in chest X-ray service which was “quick and easy”.