Echotech awarded BSE Departmental Accreditation

Announced today and following a detailed assessment of Echotech’s clinical and service management specifications, the British Society of Echocardiography has awarded Echotech with standard departmental accreditation.

This is the very first time an independent sector provider has been assessed and awarded this status whilst currently there are approximately only 15 NHS Hospital Trusts in the UK that have gained this distinction. Another important detail is that the Echotech service model uses a 'virtual department' of clinicians, cardiac physiologists and support staff to provide cardiac diagnostics in the primary care setting.

Echotech was formed in 2001 and currently provides echocardiography services to approximately 20 PCTs and four acute trusts. The company employs highly skilled BSE accredited cardiac physiologists utilising the very latest mobile ultrasound equipment to deliver transthoracic echos to NHS patients across a very wide geographical area.
 
As Keli Glover (Echotech Clinical Operations Director) explains, 'It’s not enough to just offer a staff and equipment solution to Primary Care Trusts - there needs to be a highly formalised quality assurance process too. Our staff working from centres as far apart as Manchester and Hampshire never work in isolation. They have the back up of our senior clinical team to offer advice and education wherever and whenever they need it'.

Dominic Elton (Echotech Managing Director) continues, 'I am delighted that our clinical service, systems and procedures have met the BSE’s very exacting standards. It is down to the hard work and skills of our workforce that this recognition of quality rests and I am very proud'.
 
Two of the country’s most successful NHS partner IS providers - Care UK and InHealth have both chosen Echotech to deliver echocardiography services as a part of their NHS contract work; a reflection of the specialist expertise and track record of quality that Echotech has gained.

This vote of confidence from the BSE is likely to further enhance Echotech’s reputation.