From Summer 2026, new technology will be rolled out to GP practices across West Yorkshire and Harrogate to support GPs to request scans and other images and guidance relating to musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnoses, in addition to the x-rays and ultrasounds they can already order on behalf of patients.

The technology, owned by xWave Technologies, will be deployed across the Yorkshire Imaging Collaborative (YIC) network of hospital and Community Diagnostics Centres (CDCs) sites, supporting clinicians in delivering safer, more consistent and more efficient diagnostic care for patients.

YIC is one of the largest and most advanced regional imaging networks in the United Kingdom and NHS, bringing together six NHS trusts serving a population of more than 2.7 million people. The technology will improve patient pathways between primary and secondary care by ensuring tests and scans are only requested by GPs when they are necessary, reducing demand on busy hospital radiology departments and cutting spends on unnecessary imaging.

Dr Daniel Fascia, regional clinical director at the YIC, said: “Providing GPs with MSK advice at the point of referral empowers them to make better, more accurate decisions. This technology will provide them with access to the correct imaging test or treatment for their patient. Many delays in imaging are born out of a lack of access to high-quality advice and guidance. This technology also brings significant benefits to hospital radiology departments by reducing the administrative time spent reviewing and refining referrals and issuing advice in cases where requests may not be appropriate. Essentially it supports both GPs and secondary care clinicians to get patients the right care, sooner.”

Gary Cooper, programme manager at YIC, commented: “Our mission is to deliver a consistent, high‑quality imaging service for every patient across WYAAT, regardless of where they enter the system. xWave’s technology will support clinicians in making evidence‑based imaging decisions and help us strengthen clinical governance, reduce variation and modernise the diagnostic experience for both clinicians and patients.”

xWave’s technology has also been adopted across other NHS trusts including in Greater Manchester, the Northeast of England, and multiple Irish hospital groups.

xWave CGO, Stefan McDonald, said, “The Yorkshire Imaging Collaborative is one of the most forward‑thinking imaging networks in the country, and we are incredibly proud to be supporting its next phase of transformation. Our technology is designed to help clinicians make the best possible decisions for patients while giving networks the insights they need to continually improve pathways and outcomes. This is exactly the kind of ambitious, system‑wide collaboration our platform was built to enable."