Coronavirus (COVID-19): supporting elective care – clinical prioritisation of imaging examinations

Background

Throughout the COVID19 pandemic, Diagnostic Imaging services have continued to provide services for all emergency, inpatient and clinically urgent patients, including those under an urgent suspicion of cancer. 

Due to changes in physical distancing and enhanced infection prevention and control measures – including social distancing and PPE, the volume of imaging tests that can be carried out has unavoidably decreased. 

Key aims

This guidance outlines a standardised national process for the clinical prioritisation of patients who have been referred for a diagnostic imaging test. 

This document has been develop to support demand, ensuring those of most clinical urgency have their imaging carried out first. 

This Framework should be implemented at local specialty level ensuring that patients are categorised appropriately.