This service has temporarily been suspended
Portland Medical Practice - Non Obstetric Ultrasound Scanning service
The aims of the service are to:
- Ensure patients receive the right test at the right time and in the most clinically appropriate setting
- Enable patients and referring clinicians to access a choice of provision according to clinical need and care pathways
- Ensure diagnostic tests are of high quality, with timely access and reporting
- Improve patients’ experience by seeing and diagnosing patients in the community setting and avoiding inappropriate referrals to secondary care.
- Maximise clinical skills in General Practice
The implementation of this pathway will result in the following outcomes:
- Faster access to ultrasound scanning
- Improved patient experience
Service Outline
- The service will be available to all patients registered with a NHS Lincolnshire GP.
- Waiting times for the service will be a maximum of 15 working days although patient choice will be respected where longer waits are requested.
- The service will be available 52 weeks a year
- Referrals into the service will be from NHS Lincolnshire GP’s (or GPSI’s where specialist scans are required) and will be accompanied by the appropriate referral information.
The following service inclusions will apply:
· Patients registered with an NHS Lincolnshire GP
· Ambulant patients
· Patients 18 years and over
The following exclusions will apply:
· Patients who require a fast track referral where cancer is suspected
· Patients requiring general anaesthetic
· Patients who are medically unfit to undergo the diagnostic investigation
· Patients under 18 years old
· Patients who require an image guided biopsy
· Patients requiring urgent or emergency care
Service Chaperone
A chaperone is provided for patient re-assurance. Due to the nature of the examination we regret that it may not be possible to accommodate a secondary chaperone.
Reporting standards
· The report will be summarised and faxed to the referring clinician within 3 working days but may be available the same day. Reports pertaining to the diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or where a significant abnormality is found will be sent to the referring clinician within 24 hours.
· Reports will include examination details, clinical information, findings and relevant analysis/measurement.
· If appropriate, the report will indicate advice to the referring clinician in relation to onward management.
· If appropriate the Clinical Imaging Specialist will alert the referring clinician to an adverse result.