Software developed by radiology technology company Hexarad to boost diagnostic services at Southend Hospital, part of Mid & South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE), has been shortlisted for the 2025 HSJ Independent Healthcare Provider Awards. The productivity gains resulted in a £153,000 cost saving per year on an ongoing basis – this is equivalent to two full-time consultant radiologist salaries. These strong results suggest that wider uptake of software like OptiRad across the NHS could result in huge productivity gains. 

A 12-month assessment showed that Hexarad’s OptiRad software tool increased the reporting output of the department by 12.1%; which equates to a cost avoidance of £153,000 per year thanks to reduced outsourcing spend. Turnaround times were reduced by 18% leading to faster diagnosis which has been proven to improve patient outcomes. 

OptiRad is an innovative software tool designed by consultant radiologists to address the escalating demand for radiology services and to increase efficiency and optimize existing resources within radiology departments. OptiRad optimizes the utilization of existing resources and reduces dependence on outsourcing and insourcing to improve resource management, reporting capacity, and operational efficiency.  

Dr Amy Davis, Hexarad’s CCO, commented: “As the demand for radiology services continues to grow, the successful implementation of OptiRad at Southend Hospital serves as a blueprint for other healthcare institutions seeking to enhance their radiology services and improve overall operational efficiency. We are seeing similar results in hospitals that have implemented OptiRad across the UK, as well as increasing interest from international healthcare systems, and so it’s fantastic that it is being recognised by the HSJ Awards.” 

Demand for radiology services in the UK has consistently outpaced available resources. According to the latest Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) census, 97% of radiology leads say that workforce shortages are causing delays and backlogs. 93% of radiology departments say that they rely on outsourcing to increase their capacity. NHS Trusts across the UK are under increasing pressure to increase radiology capacity – a key element in reducing the NHS’s backlog.   

The HSJ Independent Healthcare Providers Awards are incorporated into the HSJ Partnership Awards for the inaugural event and all selected winners will be announced during the joint awards ceremony at Evolution London on 20th March 2025.  

The 2025 awards judging panel was made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including;  Tim Briggs, National Director for Clinical Improvement and Elective Recovery, NHS England, Saghar Missaghian-Cully, Managing Director, North West London Pathology, Hosted by Imperial College Healthcare Trust, Nicola Wise, Director of Secondary and Specialist Healthcare, CQC, Jyothi Nippani, National Clinical Lead - Hospital Transformation, NHS England, and Daniel de Rozarieux, Director of Elective Care, The Sussex Care Partnership. 

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About Hexarad   

Founded and led by radiologists, Hexarad combines clinical expertise and industry knowledge with an in-house technology team to develop custom solutions to oversee, organise and optimise radiology departments. 

The Hexarad Platform is the only end-to-end radiology solution delivering industry-leading turnaround times, consistently high customer satisfaction scores, with customers in over 50 sites in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The Hexarad Platform is an award-winning teleradiology service covering Routine; Backlog; and Urgent and Out of Hours reporting, and unique proprietary software to reduce patient waiting times, improve efficiency, and generate cost savings across radiology services.    

Hexarad attracts the UK’s top radiologists through its reputation for valuing reporters, focus on clinical excellence and incentives such as its unique reporter share scheme. The team of fully accredited NHS consultant radiologists produce high-quality reports, working as an extension of in-house radiology departments.   

Awards:  

• Tech Impact Awards 2024 – Best Innovation in HealthTech (finalist) 

• HSJ Partnership Awards 2024 – Modernising Diagnostics Award (shortlisted)  

• HSJ Awards 2023 – Modernising Diagnostics Award (shortlisted)   

• Teleradiology Provider of the Year 2022 (Radiology Awards)   

• Radiology Tech Innovators of the Year 2023 (Technology Innovator Awards)   

• Radiology Technology Innovator of the Year 2023 (M&A Today Global Awards)   

• Radiology Technology Innovator of the Year 2022 (Global 100)   

• Radiology Specialists of the Year 2022 (London & South East Prestige Awards)   

• Outstanding Organization Award (Health 2.0)  

About the HSJ Awards 

The HSJ Independent Healthcare Providers Awards serve as a benchmark of excellence and offering IHPs a prestigious opportunity to influence the broader healthcare agenda, ensuring their integral role in a more integrated and productive healthcare system.  

About HSJ 

The Health Service Journal is the only title to cover all aspects of publicly funded healthcare, providing news, analysis, best practise information from some of the most powerful and respected figures in health. The HSJ audience is formed of healthcare leaders from both clinical and nonclinical backgrounds and both public and private sectors.