St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is grappling with significant challenges in diagnostic waiting times, particularly for non-obstetric ultrasound scans. This issue was highlighted during a Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting at Wandsworth Council on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Ms. Kate Slemick, Site CEO of St George's Trust, informed the committee that recruitment and retention issues have led to a shortage of staff in this area. The diagnostic waiting times are largely driven by a Ultrasound capacity challenge
, with 15.5% of patients waiting more than six weeks for a diagnostic test. While the Trust reported strong performance in emergency care, elective recovery, and cancer pathways, diagnostic waiting times remain a key concern. Cardiac ECHOs, however, are reportedly coming back on track quite quickly
, indicating that non-obstetric ultrasound is the primary area of concern.
The Trust is addressing recruitment and retention issues in diagnostics by implementing a recruitment and retention bonus
. This was deemed a necessary step as the Trust was falling behind in terms of our ability to recruit and retain staff
. The primary reason for staff retention issues in diagnostics, specifically for non-obstetric ultrasound, is that St George's Trust is one of the only trusts that don't pay a recruitment and retention bonus
.
The Trust is actively working to address these recruitment challenges, but it is acknowledged that it will take time to clear the backlog. Further details on the committee meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.