An ultrasound examination service is to be introduced by Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust in GP's surgeries across the area following a ground-breaking successful pilot scheme in South Woodham Ferrers.
The service has been launched to help solve the problem of patients having to wait up to 15 weeks for ultrasound appointments at Broomfield Hospital.
Ultrasound can help diagnose a wide variety of conditions such as thyroid problems, gall stones and ovarian cysts.
The PCT funded a private company which specialises in ultrasound examinations to run a monthly session in South Woodham Ferrers Clinic. Following its success of the scheme the PCT has signed a contract with Mid Essex Hospitals Trust to provide an ultrasound examination service for every GP practice in the area.
PCT Chief Executive, Mike Harrison, said, "The pilot scheme in South Woodham Ferrers has proved very successful in helping us achieve two of our key aims- reducing waiting times and providing services more locally. From the beginning of July, there will be a weekly ultrasound service which will rotate around the PCT area.
"People should not have to wait more than four weeks for an appointment and their GP will receive a report on the same day as the examination. There will also be provision for rapid access to a radiologist for further interpretation of results."
Published Monday, June 16, 2003
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