Specialist multi-vendor ultrasound service launched in UK

Published: 14-Jun-2019

Service partnership between Canon Medical Systems and Imagex Medical will deliver productivity benefits to hospital radiology

A new multi-vendor service partnership has been launched into the UK health marketplace by equipment manufacturer, Canon Medical Systems UK and specialist independent ultrasound service provider, Imagex Medical.

The unique offering will provide cost, operational and administrative benefits to time-pressured NHS and independent hospitals by streamlining productivity in the way maintenance and repairs are carried out on frontline diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems.

As an equipment manufacturer we understand how important it is for our customers to receive high-quality servicing quickly for diagnostic ultrasound systems, to not only maximise the life and uptime of the imaging system, but also to meet operational targets and patient needs

Instead of 2-4 different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) visiting hospital departments at different times to service systems or undertake repairs; one specialist engineer trained across many different OEM systems can undertake all the equipment service needs.

This delivers many time, administrative, and cost savings for Electro-Biomedical Engineering (EBME) and health estates and facilities departments managing the maintenance of systems.

It will also minimise the impact on the associated clinical departments of radiology, obstetrics, and cardiology that experience equipment downtime while planned or unexpected ultrasound repairs are undertaken.

At the same time, back-office administrative burdens of multiple vendor reviews, contracts, and invoices generated by procurement or finance teams will be reduced by simplifying equipment maintenance to one specialist organisation.

“Productivity and efficiency are ongoing mantras in healthcare as we enter 2019, especially in light of the NHS new Long-Term Plan,” said Paul Parsons, director of service and technical support at Canon Medical Systems UK.

One quote, one contract, and a single point of contact for all ultrasound equipment concerns will be beneficial for many healthcare providers

“As an equipment manufacturer we understand how important it is for our customers to receive high-quality servicing quickly for diagnostic ultrasound systems, to not only maximise the life and uptime of the imaging system, but also to meet operational targets and patient needs.

“By entering into this partnership with Imagex Medical we can broaden our specialist service offerings to our installed base and reassure them that we’re working in partnership to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare industry head on.

“One quote, one contract, and a single point of contact for all ultrasound equipment concerns will be beneficial for many healthcare providers.”

Jeff Norrie, chief technician in the medical engineering department at Good Hope Hospital, part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We have 45 ultrasound systems serving a patient catchment population of 450,000.

“Smooth maintenance and servicing is essential to have good service audit trails and ensure equipment health is kept at an optimum level to meet increasing clinical demands.”

And Jim Lowbridge, commercial director at Imagex Medical, told BBH: “We’re excited to be entering into this multi-vendor partnership with Canon Medical Systems UK and supporting the UK healthcare marketplace with an alternative to OEM service support or managed equipment providers.

“As an independent specialist in ultrasound service support we focus on keeping equipment running to meet all clinical and operational needs.”

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