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Image Sharing Collaboration across EMRAD
The East Midlands Imaging network, known as EMRAD, is a partnership of eight NHS Trusts (Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust). Between them, these trusts run 14 hospitals, covering more than five million patients. We aim to deliver timely and expert radiology regardless of which hospital a patient visits across the network.
This is achieved through collaboration with radiology departments across different Trusts using the same technology system. It enables radiologists and radiographers to view scans and images across all partner Trusts. In the past, scans/images could only be accessed at the hospital from where they were taken; if a patient was transferred from United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust to Nottingham, scans/images would have been sent on a physical CD; or manually uploaded in Lincolnshire, then manually downloaded in Nottingham. However, the network structure put in place by EMRAD ensures that images are shared in real-time through a joint Picture Archived Communications System (PACS) across all eight Trusts – this is called image sharing.
This means that scan
s and images taken off a patient transferred from Lincolnshire to Nottingham can be accessed before the patient arrives at the receiving Trust. This reduces the strain on radiology services whilst improving patient care. Patients don’t need to have repeat scans and images taken, radiation exposure is reduced, and diagnosis is made promptly, leading to a swifter treatment plan and better patient outcomes. Health experts at partner Trusts can share their experiences and knowledge for patient’s benefits within the imaging network whilst seamlessly working towards a digital transformation in the way our radiologists work.
About EMRAD
EMRAD aims to deliver timely and expert imaging services to patients across the region, regardless of where they are being treated. Since its formation, EMRAD has achieved vanguard status, won several awards, and been cited in national reports on innovation and progress in imaging services.
For more information, visit the www.emrad.nhs.uk website.
Contact for further information:
Dr Iain Macleod, EMRAD medical director
Email: info.emrad@nuh.nhs.uk
Notes to editor:
For more information, visit the www.emrad.nhs.uk website.