The Royal College of Radiologists has read this excellent report with interest. The College is surprised by the finding that a small number of Trusts are accepting emergency admissions without 24 hour access to general radiography. The lack of immediate access for some patients to CT scanning is recognised and is of equal concern.

The College strongly supports the recommendation that any hospital admitting acute emergencies should have 24 hour access to CT. This recommendation was included in the recently published document Acute health care services, coordinated by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. The Royal College of Radiologists' Standards Sub-Committee is currently developing standards for on-call radiology provision which should help to address this. 24 hour availability of CT will also be monitored within the RCR Radiology Accreditation Programme.

The College believes that CT scanners, which now play a crucial role in the evaluation of acutely ill patients, should be sited within or adjacent to trauma and admissions units. Such enhanced access to appropriate imaging technology will require investment in staff and equipment but is essential for the delivery of optimal patient care.

1. For further information from the Royal College of Radiologists, please contact the College's Communications, email dan_garbuttrcr.ac.

2. For the full report, see the NCEPOD website .

3. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges' report, Acute health care services, can be downloaded here. (PDF link).

4. Further information on the RCR's Radiology Accreditation Programme can be found here.

5. The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has approximately 7,200 members and Fellows worldwide representing the disciplines of clinical oncology and clinical radiology. All members and Fellows of the College are registered medical or dental practitioners.

Royal College of Radiologists