The human impact of digital diagnostics

Regional approaches to digital diagnostic imaging are about much more than pooling data or delivering new technology. They are a means to improve patient safety and access to care, says Sectra’s Chris Scarisbrick. “People die in the imaging world.” This was the message from Rebecca Hilsenrath, the director of external affairs, strategy and communications at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, in March this year. I was privileged to share the stage with her at Digital Health Rewired, where she gave delegates an important reminder of what happens when digital infrastructure in healthcare is not up to standard. She spoke about Mary, for whom two months of incomplete and delayed reporting of her MRI scan led to a late diagnosis of liver cancer. By the time her diagnosis was delivered, Mary was too ill to consider chemotherapy or surgery.