The Provider Collaborative is leading delivery of a three-year programme of investment in digital diagnostics across the region. This aims to improve the interoperability of different technical systems between providers, streamline referral processes and make better use of diagnostic capacity across the region.
In total, this will see around £17.8 million of national funding invested in digital diagnostics by 2025. This includes several key projects:
- A new integrated digital system to manage diagnostic referrals and appointments across the region as we continue to reduce waiting lists. This means, as a collective of NENC Providers, we will be able to instantly see where appointments are available, helping to speed up access to tests and scans for patients.
- A new electronic Order Communications System to allow diagnostic tests (pathology and radiology) to be ordered using the same system across all providers. This will allow clinicians to see all patient test requests, reduce duplication and help speed up treatment with quicker decisions on next steps.
- A new ‘global’ reporting tool that will allow network wide reporting of pathology and radiology results across all providers in the region. This means all clinicians involved in a patient’s care will be able to see all relevant results using remote technology.
Working together, NENC Providers collectively agreed where national funding for three new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) would be best invested in the region.
Work is now well underway on all three CDCs with expected go-live dates as follows:
- Castlegate Shopping Centre, Stockton – opening August 2024
- Metrocentre – opening October 2024
- Workington Town Centre – opening June 2025
The rollout of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) across the region will support our collective ambition to reduce waiting times for patients as we manage the overall increase in demand for diagnostic tests and scans. We have seen this increase by a staggering 11% since pre-pandemic levels (2019/20) and the new CDC facilities will add much needed capacity into the system so that we can see and diagnose more patients.
“Between April 2023 and February 2024, the number of patients waiting more than 6 weeks for their diagnostic test has reduced from 16,160 to 11,775 – a reduction of 27%. This is the best position since the start of the pandemic for the North East and North Cumbria.”
NENC Providers has supported recruitment into key roles for the Diagnostic Imaging Network including a new Digital Lead, a new Workforce Lead and a Lead Radiographer for the region.
We also play an important part in pulling together regional bids for capital funding. This has resulted in new CT facilities at South Tees and North Cumbria, a new MRI scanner at Gateshead and funding to implement Artificial Intelligence in chest x-ray services.
Through NENC Providers, we have put in place a formal governance structure to support the region’s Endoscopy Network and supported a successful £15 million capital bid for a new endoscopy unit at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
The Provider Collaborative also played a key role helping to secure funding for the new Northern Endoscopy Training Academy (NETA). This is hosted by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of all NENC Providers. It combines the insight and expertise of endoscopy professionals from across the region in a centralised training hub for the future endoscopy workforce.
Funding was secured for new training spaces for clinical endoscopists, nurse training and practice education, as well as admin and clerical training. The Academy also boasts the latest virtual and simulation technology to aid trainees in their academic journey.
“This immersive training model has already had a huge impact with trainees completing their gastroenterology training within six and a half months, compared to two years previously.”
