Cardiac MRI Review: Patients Urged to Seek Advice After NHS Scan Concerns
Patients who underwent cardiac MRI scans at Royal Derby Hospital between 2013 and 2020 are being urged to seek advice after a review identified concerns involving misreported scans and possible patient harm.
Patients who had cardiac MRI scans at an NHS hospital have been urged to seek advice after a major review identified concerns about scan reports over a seven-year period.
A review at Royal Derby Hospital examined more than 1,200 cardiac MRI cases involving a radiology consultant between 2013 and 2020. According to documents reported by the BBC and local media, 176 of the patients whose cases were examined had died.
In 101 of those cases, the review identified a cardiac MRI scan that had been misreported.
The findings have prompted calls for patients who underwent cardiac MRI examinations at Derby and Burton NHS services during the period to find out whether their scans were included in the review.
What did the cardiac MRI review find?
The investigation began after concerns were raised by cardiology colleagues in November 2020.
Documents relating to the review reportedly examined 1,224 cases involving the consultant. Of the 176 patients who had subsequently died, 101 had a misreported cardiac MRI scan identified during the investigation.
Importantly, the figures do not mean that every death was caused by an incorrectly reported MRI scan.
Of the 101 deaths examined, 48 reportedly had a potential cardiac cause. In eight cases, there was not enough information available to establish what had happened, including cases where clinical notes were incomplete or the circumstances surrounding the death were unclear.
The review also identified cases where patients had experienced harm. Three patients were reportedly found to have suffered moderate harm, while other cases involved what was described as real harm that could potentially have lasting consequences.
The trust said the review assessed physical harm and did not examine psychological harm, including the possible emotional consequences of a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.
Why are patients being asked to come forward?
Solicitors representing people who may have been affected have urged former patients to seek advice if they underwent a cardiac MRI at Royal Derby Hospital during the period covered by the investigation.
The reason for the advice is that some patients may not yet have been contacted directly about the review.
Medical imaging can play an important role in diagnosing heart conditions and deciding what treatment a patient may need. If a scan is incorrectly interpreted, there can potentially be consequences for a person's diagnosis, monitoring or treatment.
However, an incorrectly reported scan does not automatically mean that a patient was harmed or that a medical error caused a particular outcome. Each case needs to be considered individually alongside the patient's symptoms, medical records, subsequent tests and treatment.
People who are concerned about a previous scan should therefore seek appropriate medical or legal advice rather than assuming that the review means they were affected.
What has the NHS trust said?
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust has apologised to patients and families affected by the findings.
The trust acknowledged that the investigation identified a pattern and level of discrepancy that required further investigation and action.
It also said that the consultant involved was a trained specialist and that the investigation highlighted wider systems issues rather than simply focusing on an individual.
The trust has said changes have been introduced to improve the way cardiac MRI scans are assessed.
According to the information reported about the review, cardiac MRI examinations are now routinely assessed by a team involving several cardiologists. The aim is to provide greater oversight and reduce the risk of important findings being missed or incorrectly interpreted.
The trust said it was taking the findings seriously and that it wanted to be open about what happened, how the concerns were identified and what had been done in response.
What should former cardiac MRI patients do?
Anyone who had a cardiac MRI at Royal Derby Hospital between 2013 and 2020 and is concerned about whether their scan was affected may wish to contact the relevant NHS service for information.
Patients can also discuss their concerns with their GP or another appropriate healthcare professional, particularly if they have questions about a previous diagnosis or treatment.
Those considering whether they may have grounds for a medical negligence claim can seek independent legal advice from a solicitor specialising in clinical negligence.
Patients should avoid making assumptions based solely on the reported figures. The review covered a large number of cases, and the circumstances of individual patients varied.
If someone believes their health may have been affected by a delayed or incorrect diagnosis, they should explain their concerns clearly and provide as much information as possible about their previous treatment.
Why cardiac MRI reports matter
A cardiac MRI is a specialist imaging examination that can provide detailed information about the structure and function of the heart.
Doctors may use cardiac MRI to investigate a range of heart-related conditions, assess damage and help inform treatment decisions.
Like other forms of medical testing, MRI results must be interpreted alongside the patient's medical history, symptoms and other investigations.
The Royal Derby Hospital review highlights the importance of accurate reporting, appropriate clinical oversight and effective systems for identifying discrepancies in specialist medical imaging.
It also underlines why patients who have concerns about previous medical treatment should have access to clear information about what happened and whether their individual case was affected.
A serious review with wider implications
The findings from Royal Derby Hospital have raised significant questions about the reporting of cardiac MRI scans during the period under investigation.
While the review identified 101 misreported scans among patients who later died, it is important to distinguish an association from proof that an incorrect scan report caused a death.
The available information also indicates that the investigation found cases involving potential cardiac causes of death, insufficient information and varying levels of patient harm.
The NHS trust has apologised and said lessons have been learned, while changes have reportedly been introduced to strengthen oversight of cardiac MRI reporting.
For patients who underwent a cardiac MRI at Royal Derby Hospital between 2013 and 2020, the key message is to seek reliable information if they are concerned. Patients who believe they may have been affected can ask the relevant healthcare provider whether their case was reviewed and seek independent advice about any questions surrounding their diagnosis or treatment.
Source: The Sun, reporting published on 19 August 2026, the BBC, Derbyshire Live, Fletchers Solicitors and University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical, legal or financial advice. The figures and findings described above are based on reporting and review information available at the time of publication. An incorrectly reported MRI scan does not necessarily mean that a patient suffered harm or that the scan caused a death. Anyone concerned about their individual medical history should speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Anyone considering a potential clinical negligence claim should obtain independent legal advice.