Greater Manchester upgrades PACS cloud portal for image sharing

NHS hospital trusts across the north west of England will share patients’ radiology images through an upgraded cloud portal from early 2026.

The Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network has appointed UK-based consultancy Shaping Cloud to support the modernisation of its regional picture archiving and communication system (PACS) portal, allowing clinicians to view stored digital images at Greater Manchester trusts.

It is intended to benefit patients across the region by speeding up test results and supporting ongoing patient care when they are transferred between clinicians by providing faster, more secure access to medical imaging and related data, supporting diagnostic collaboration across multiple NHS trusts.

Beth Tumilty, programme lead at Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network, said: “The new portal will enable all authorised healthcare providers to have on demand access to the most up-to-date information on a patient’s tests and results, enabling better coordination of care across different healthcare settings, more informed decisions about a patient’s care, as well as reducing the need for duplicate tests.

“By working in collaboration with Shaping Cloud, the wider GM Diagnostic teams and neighbouring networks, the PACS portal is a critical enabler of modern diagnostics, providing a connected, quality assured safe environment to ensure patients benefit from timely, accurate diagnoses.”

Users accessing the new PACS portal will use the Greater Manchester Identity (GMID) platform, which was built in collaboration between Shaping Cloud and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The project will be delivered in two phases, with the first go-live expected in early 2026 and a second phase, broadening out to other healthcare regions, to follow later in the year.

Helen Gerling, chief executive at Shaping Cloud, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network on such an important piece of digital infrastructure for the region.

“Modernising the PACS portal is not just about cloud migration, it’s about enabling faster, smarter access to vital clinical information, while meeting the highest standards of security and interoperability.”

Meanwhile, AI-powered X-ray decision-support technology from global health tech firm Annalise.ai was rolled out at seven NHS trusts within the Greater Manchester Imaging Network last year to help doctors detect diseases, including lung cancer, quicker.

The project is part of a partnership between Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, Greater Manchester Imaging Network and Annalise.ai, funded through the Artificial Intelligence Diagnostics Fund.