Changes to referral process for GP Direct Access Community Diagnostic Services
GPs are reminded that new providers will be taking over community diagnostic services contracts for Cardiology, Ultrasound and MRI services from Monday 1 April 2024 in six of the boroughs across north east London (Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest).
In light of this, please start referring patients to the new providers from Friday 1 March 2024. Updated ErS referral forms have been uploaded onto the GP clinical systems and are now ready for use.
We are still finalising the procurement arrangements for Endoscopy for Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge and will update you further in due course.
The new providers in each of the boroughs are listed below:
| Diagnostic services | Provider in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge | Provider in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest |
| Cardiology | Omnes Healthcare LTD – includes 12 Lead GP ECG remote interpretation services | |
| Endoscopy | Finalising arrangements | (Provided by Barts NHS Trust) |
| MRI | HealthShare | InHealth |
| Ultrasound | HealthShare | Omnes |
Please note that all referrals will need to made via ErS*.
Clinics will be directly bookable for Ultrasound and Cardiology in the BHR boroughs/places and will also be directly bookable for Cardiology and ultrasound services in the TNW boroughs/places.
*For Endoscopy services in BHR boroughs – please continue to refer via your usual process via the ‘Medefer Single Point of Access for Endoscopy’ until we finalise arrangements. We will update you in due course.