Unclear when patient scan system will be fixed
GettyAn NHS trust has said it is "still too early" to say when full access to a critical system which reads hospital scans will be restored.
On 7 April, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust said staff had lost the ability to fully access a system called PACS, which is used to view X-rays as well as MRI and CT scans.
The trust said this had resulted in changes to appointments and longer wait times for some patients.
The trust has said it is trialling a series of potential solutions to the problem, but it remains unclear when systems will return to normal.
'Truly sorry'
A spokesperson said the technical issue was not related to any cyber-security breaches.
The trust said it didn't know how many patients had been impacted by the PACS issues, adding that, in many cases, appointments had simply been moved to another day.
Some staff are also working different hours, seeking times when there might be less pressure on the system, the trust said.
Experts from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), neighbouring organisations and its PACS supplier have been helping the trust to identify the "root cause" of the issue.
The trust added that early testing of potential solutions had been "positive".
A spokesperson stressed the trust's emergency department and urgent treatment centres remain open to patients.
Trust official Joanne Halliwell said: "We understand how upsetting and frustrating this situation is for our patients, their loved ones, and our dedicated staff, and we are truly sorry for the disruption it has caused."