United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust approach to Echocardiography Improvement - Reducing the waits

United Lincolnshire Hospital (ULH) faced significant challenges with its echocardiography services. During the COVID-19 pandemic the service was suspended for a duration of 12 months resulting in a total waiting list of over 8000 patients and 90% of patients waiting more than 6 weeks at its highest level in 2022. Due to insufficient staffing and available infrastructure the service could not reduce their waits and many patients were left waiting more than 18 weeks to receive their echocardiogram. 

A deep dive into the echocardiography service in October 2022 by the Midlands Diagnostic team facilitated an action plan that was supported by the Trust executive teams and ICB colleagues to be developed that could prioritize the recovery of ULH echocardiography department.

Lincoln Hospital implemented substantial reforms in its echocardiography department, significantly reducing patient wait times. Month on month they have reduced their total waiting list and %6WW and %13WW position.

Questions about this event?

Name: Karen Pearson

Email: karen.pearson30@nhs.net

Telephone: 07725489884