Why diagnostic test waiting lists are so long

‘Radiographers are conducting more tests than ever – despite the fact that the average vacancy rate for radiographers is now 15%.’ Photograph: David Curtis/Alamy

In your article (Record number of people waiting for NHS diagnostic tests in England, 7 June), you quote Marlen Suller of Magentus saying that the solution to ever-increasing diagnostic waiting lists is for the NHS to “make better use of existing capacity, test patients faster, give them clearer information and use financial incentives to drive improvement”.

This implies that diagnostic radiographers – the NHS professionals who carry out diagnostic imaging tests – are simply not working hard enough, or that they would work longer hours if they were offered financial incentive to do so.