Call for more X-ray funding from coroner

Coroner of Inquests John Needham has called for the Department of Health and Social Care to review how it funds the radiology department at Noble's Hospital.

It's after the death of a 70-year-old man two years ago from a heart problem which chest X-rays failed to spot.

Peter Frederick Arthur Quilliam, from Glen Vine, died in September 2015 from a torn blood vessel in his heart.

An inquest this month heard radiologists failed to spot the problem - and there'd been just three members of staff covering the work of five people.

Mr Needham was told there was a shortage of radiologists not just on the Island but also in the UK.

He said had there been more staff, there may have been more time to examine the X-rays properly and diagnose the problem before Mr Quilliam died.

Since 2015, the department had brought in retired consultants and introduced a variety of measures to help provide cover.

But after recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Mr Needham said he'd recommend the DHSC reviews how it funds the service to recruit and retain radiologists and ease their workloads.