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Physiological Measurements Ltd (PML), the lead provider of referred ultrasound diagnostic tests in the NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area, will be opening an NHS ultrasound clinic in St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend. Clinics will run daily, including Saturdays and Sundays, offering patients convienient and flexible appointment times. The clinic will open in a special ceremony on Friday 24th November - including local MP Adam Holloway.
Situated in the heart of the community in Gravesend, this is a pioneering NHS clinic that will aim to offer patients a seven-day service, working alongside the council’s own regeneration plans.
A recently published national cancer strategy highlighted the importance of GPs having timely access to diagnostic services for suspected cancer cases. Access to timely diagnostics has been identified as the biggest bottleneck in the patient journey.
The clinic will also act as an NHS drop-in service for any patients requiring an urgent ultrasound scan.
Adam Holloway, MP for Gravesham said, “All involved in this initiative should be applauded. This unit will really benefit local people who will be able to have their ultrasound scans more easily and locally.”
Lauren Linhan, a patient from Gravesham who had attended a community based ultrasound scan said, "I was very apprehensive before attending my ultrasound scan, however when I got to my appointment I was instantly put at ease. The staff were absolutely outstanding. They were professional and efficient, they ensured I was comfortable at all times and even took the time to explain every part of the procedure to me.”
PML is an award winning provider of diagnostic investigations in community settings, as well as a distributor of innovative high tech medical products.
As an NHS business partner, their community-based diagnostic screening services assist them in meeting their objective of reducing the need for hospital based testing by improving access to early detection in a care setting closer to home.
Gail Locock, Chief Nurse for NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG said: “Early diagnosis is a key priority for the CCG and for our GP member practices, so in commissioning this service from PML we look forward to seeing continued benefits for local patients and increased convenience in getting the diagnostic scans they need as quickly as possible.”
Andrew Honeyman of PML said: “We are very excited to launch the new ultrasound clinic alongside NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG. Our years of experience will deliver a high quality service and we hope that the clinic improves the patient experience.”
Andrew Thomas-Knowles the Manager of the St Georges Shopping Centre said, “We are not only physically located at in the heart of Gravesend, we also feel that our shopping centre is at the heart of the local community. We believe we have a role to serve families across the community, so we could not be happier at being able to provide a pioneering and important service like this.”
For more information visit: www.physiologicalmeasurements.com
www.dartfordgraveshamswanleyccg.nhs.uk or follow @NHSDGSCCG on Twitter
