Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Partners With RMS

RMS (Radiology Management Solutions), the scanning specialist, has recently partnered with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for the supply of additional CT and MRI scanning services.
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is the largest health organisation in Wales and has three main hospitals – Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor, Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan and Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

The Health Board is keen to make a positive change for patients waiting for scanning appointments. John Collins, the Radiology Performance Lead for the Health Board, commented:

“We have seen an 8% growth year-on-year in the demand for CT and MRI scans across the Health Board. This reflects the general trend of increased pressure on radiology services across the UK. We made the decision to partner with RMS in order to provide additional staffing capacity through a managed service contract that helps to maximise the utilisation of the scanners across the Health Board. In the short term this will increase the number of patients going through our scanners by up to 200 cases per week. This additional capacity will reduce waiting times and allow us to maintain the quality and timeliness of patient care.“

RMS works with many Trusts across the UK to address staff shortage issues, or to manage radiology departments outside of traditional working hours. Through staffing an existing department rather than hiring a third party mobile scanning unit, RMS has calculated an approximate saving of 30% can be achieved.

RMS has already started work in the Wrexham and Bangor hospitals, with Wrexham Maelor Hospital now having additional CT scanning capacity at weekends and the Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor has additional CT and MRI capacity, also at weekends.

Mike Lancaster, Commercial Director commented “We’re excited to be working with The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Our services help Trusts to improve patient experience through realising the full potential of the radiology department, using existing CT and MRI equipment. The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has made the decision to work with us to ensure that many more patients will quickly receive the scans they need to proceed with their care. We have high calibre, proven radiographers with experience of working in the NHS and The Health Board has the option of increasing or decreasing the amount of support they use quickly and efficiently through our service.”