Ultrasound referrals (Redbridge)
We are writing to remind you that as part of the new community ultrasound service for Redbridge, all ultrasound referrals should now be sent directly to Healthshare. This service is aimed at improving access to diagnostic ultrasound services for patients in the community, reducing waiting times, and allowing Barts Health NHS Trust to prioritize more urgent cases.
As you know, Healthshare has already communicated this change a while ago, and we appreciate your cooperation in sending referrals directly to Healthshare. To ensure a smooth transition and reduce administrative burdens for your practice, we kindly ask that all ultrasound referrals be sent to Healthshare.
From 1st May 2025 any ultrasound referrals sent outside of the agreed pathway to the hospital or other providers will be automatically rejected and redirected to Healthshare. This is to streamline the referral process and ensure your patients receive the timely care they need without unnecessary delays.
The following are the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria:
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
- Cancer – any patient with suspected cancer should be referred through the hospital two weeks wait referral pathway
- Patients requiring an ultrasound guided procedure
- Patients requiring obstetric care
- Superficial masses or lumps in the neck and axilla
- Neck and thyroid
- Scalp
- Urgent testes
- Transport patient – wheelchair and non-weight bearing patients.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
- Patient age range 18 and above
- Routine ultrasound scans
- General abdomen including assessment of the aorta, biliary tract, gallbladder, inferior vena cava, kidneys, liver, pancreas, retroperitoneum, spleen, renal and bladder
- Abdominal -wall, groin, hernia
- Gynaecology – including transabdominal and transvaginal.
- Prostate, scrotal, testicular scans
- Musculoskeletal (MSK).
If you have any questions or require further clarification on the referral process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Ultrasound Modality Lead: Benjamin Iyenkutty(benjamin.iyenkutty@nhs.net
- Ultrasound Clinical Lead: Waleed Chaudhrey waleed.chaudhrey@nhs.net
Thank you for your continued support in improving patient care in our community.