West Midlands NHS imaging programme enters procurement

An NHS imaging transformation programme serving 6.6 million people across the West Midlands has entered procurement, paving the way for what leaders describe as the largest digital imaging initiative of its kind in Europe.

The Converged Digital Imaging Platform (CDIP) programme will create a single diagnostic imaging record for NHS patients across the 15 trusts in the region, enabling clinicians to access scans and imaging histories regardless of where patients receive care.

The initiative is intended to improve access to diagnostic expertise, support earlier diagnoses of conditions including cancer and cardiovascular disease, and enable wider adoption of technologies such as AI.

The West Midlands Imaging Network commenced procurement and invited tenders for the project on 15 June 2026, after receiving approval from its executive board.

Dr Simon Constable, chair of the West Midlands Imaging Network and chief executive at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, said: “NHS trusts in the West Midlands are embarking on the largest programme of its kind in the NHS – and with it, one of the largest opportunities to sustain and enhance a vital part of patient care.

“From the Black Country to Birmingham, from Shropshire to Stoke, and from Worcestershire to Warwickshire, this will empower trusts to harness diagnostic expertise on a scale like never before.

“By removing geographical barriers, we are creating the conditions to ensure that the best expertise is available for every patient, wherever they are.”

The platform will enable imaging teams across the region to view, report on and share scans regardless of where they were captured, helping to remove geographical barriers to specialist expertise and supporting greater collaboration between trusts.

Healthcare professionals working in emergency departments, stroke services, operating theatres and cancer pathways are expected to benefit from immediate access to a patient’s complete imaging history, supporting faster clinical decision-making.

Dr James Heron, medical director for the West Midlands Imaging Network and consultant diagnostic and interventional radiologist at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “This is a landmark moment for one of the biggest opportunities in NHS diagnostic imaging in a generation.

“Diagnostic imaging is often less visible to the public, but it is central to safe and timely care. Much more than image sharing, this programme is our chance to change the picture on how we can make the most of diagnostic expertise for patients and healthcare professionals alike.”

The project is intended to generate financial savings by replacing multiple locally managed contracts for radiology information systems (RIS) and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) with a shared regional platform. Deployment will take place in phases as existing supplier contracts expire.

Dr Marius Grima, clinical digital lead for the network and consultant paediatric radiologist at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, highlighted the technical complexity of delivering a single interoperable imaging platform across 15 organisations.

He said the initiative would improve interoperability, standardise workflows and support cross-site reporting, while creating the foundations for advanced technologies including AI and machine learning.

“Most importantly, it will help deliver faster, safer diagnoses for patients across the West Midlands, wherever they receive care,” Grima added.