NHS direct access community ultrasound

The following information is intended for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) as a background to Ultrasound Direct when considering independent providers for GP direct access ultrasound services in the community.

Headquartered in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, Ultrasound Direct has traded since 1998 in community clinic settings and is well placed logistically for providing ultrasound services throughout most regions of the UK. Since June 2013, Ultrasound Direct has been successfully delivering NOUS services for commissioners under the NHS Any Qualified Provider (AQP) scheme. More recently, and based on the experience of providing NHS services, Ultrasound Direct has innovated a cost effective ‘Capacity on Demand’ working model – allowing commissioners to calibrate ultrasound capacity in line with patient demand. This model promotes a truly scalable service and significant financial savings for commissioners.

Our experience and credentials include:
  • Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration since October 2010
  • Robust employment processes (enhanced / DBS) of health care professionals for service delivery, with a national pool of 200+ employed (not agency) advanced ultrasound practitioners providing commissioners with a high confidence in service continuity
  • 75 independent clinics nationally, scanning in excess of 80,000 clients per annum
  • Significant investment into education, our goal to promote quality and decrease the national shortage of sonographers. We are proud to have qualified our first postgraduate ultrasound practitioner through the Ultrasound Direct School in affiliation with a local university
  • On going investment into specialist professional courses for the relevant practitioners for Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
  • Our AQP patient satisfaction survey shows increases in meeting patient's expectations with “explaining how results were delivered”, “overall satisfaction” and “likelihood of recommending our service” all scoring very satisfied and satisfied responses
  • Highest resolution static and portable ultrasound equipment purchased in the UK from the OEM enabling practitioners to provide general abdominal, women’s health, vascular, small parts and MSK services on-site. Annual routine maintenance policy applied.
  • Robust Information Governance policy for scan reporting processes including connection to the national Image Exchange Portal (IEP) for quick access to reports and images by NHS secondary care institutes. The Company employs its own IT manager and an acting Caldicott Guardian
  • Independent Radiologist reviewed Quality Assurance (QA) audit programs of practitioner’s studies and on-demand second opinions when necessary
We are passionate in delivering high quality, high performing health services in order to promote a positive experience for patients and users. Our experience within the field of diagnostic ultrasound including with AQP contracts, coupled with our continual self-monitoring, clinical bench marking and our compliance with external audits ensure we provide a sustainable and cost effective health provision.

If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact us through our health care professional contact form.

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