Meet our latest Community Diagnostic Centre innovation
In EMS Healthcare's article, Divisional Director for Clinical Capacity, Jo Quarterman introduces our new mobile Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) solution to support NHS trusts, health boards and independent providers with delivering a range of accessible diagnostic tests closer to home and driving better patient outcomes.
Jo Quarterman
Published 20 May 2024
Clinical capacity
Across the country, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are facing unprecedented pressures to ease NHS waiting lists and reduce patient waiting times:
- There were around 1,611,800 patients waiting for a key diagnostic test at the end of February 2024. This is an increase of 10,300 from February 2023
- In January 2024, nearly one in five patients were waiting more than six weeks for a CT or MRI scan – equivalent to 95,797 patients. This is over 7,000 more patients than in December 2023
- The NHS target in England is that less than 1% of people should wait more than 6 weeks for a diagnostic test. This target has not been met since 2013
- There were 3.8 million fewer diagnostic tests delivered between March 2020 and December 2023 than what would have expected based on activity levels in 2019
Liberty Max, the latest mobile solution from EMS Healthcare, aims to help resolve some of these longstanding challenges. It is specifically designed to offer critical support by delivering extra clinical space, to support with diagnostic capacity across several different modalities:
- Cardiology
- Respiratory
- Endoscopy
- Ophthalmology
- Imaging
- Phlebotomy
A closer look at Liberty Max
Our latest innovation is designed to enhance community care and improve health outcomes, by increasing patient access to essential diagnostic tests in convenient locations, whilst alleviating pressures on healthcare systems nationwide.
We understand that many trusts across the country are facing challenges with waiting lists, and we're proud to work with the NHS by supporting with additional capacity, when and where it is most needed.
Measuring at 28m x 18m, the medical solution can be set-up in just one week. Liberty Max contains four consultations rooms, a procedure room, a recovery area, and the ability to dock on an MRI or CT scanner. The temporary Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) also comprises a fully JAG-compliant endoscopy suite, including patient prep, treatment and recovery areas.
Supporting growing capacity demands
Early adopter sites of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) have already experienced firsthand the benefits of bringing care closer to home. As of March 2024, more than seven million health test, checks and scans have been delivered in CDCs across England.
Previously we have supported Kidderminster Hospital in Worcestershire, as part of their programme for establishing a CDC. The installation of EMS Healthcare's mobile endoscopy solution accelerated the trust’s diagnostic activity and aided in the recovery of services impacted by the pandemic.
Dr Carl Ellson, Medical Director for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “Our priority is to address the waiting lists that have grown during the pandemic and to use the additional capacity at the CDCs to ensure patients can get the investigations they require in a timely manner and meet growing demand for diagnostic tests in the future.”
As a result, 8,000 more patients were able to access the tests they needed quicker and more safely over a 6-month period. Their contract was extended for 12 months to provide further support to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Is Liberty Max the right choice for your diagnostic clinic?
Tackling the UK’s ever-changing healthcare challenges requires a constant stream of intelligent and strategic innovations. With over 15 years’ experience of supporting the NHS, EMS Healthcare operates from a position of trust and expertise as we strive to achieve a future where good health is within everyone’s reach.
That deep understanding of the NHS’ challenges and all our learnings from working with 95+ trusts, health boards, and independent healthcare providers have been funnelled into the design of Liberty Max.
We’ve created a new solution that can not only alleviates some of the greatest pressures hospitals face, but also supports with addressing health disparities by expanding tests into community settings, ultimately driving better patient outcomes.
If you’re a healthcare professional or estates manager looking to expand your diagnostic services with a fast, effective, and large-capacity solution like Liberty Max, contact us today. Our team is always happy to help.
Sources:
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7281/CBP-7281.pdf