Choice of Scan Phase 3 Department of Health August 2006

The paper 'Choice of Scan Phase 3' provides an update on Choice of Scan.

The paper states that:

"From 30th April 2007, patients waiting for the overwhelming majority of scans [including echocardiography] who do not have an appointment within 13 weeks will be offered the choice of having their scan by another provider within a maximum of 13 weeks."

Alternative providers can be NHS Foundation Trusts, NHS Trusts or independent organisations who have:

• The capacity at the necessary quality to scan additional patients
• Within the timescales required and
• Can ensure the scan and report can be transmitted effectively to the originator Trust

Echotech has demonstrated the ability to deliver all the required performance indicators.