Direct Access Echocardiography
Click here for the form
Aim:
To provide GPs with an Echocardiography service that can be accessed without the need for a prior cardiology outpatient appointment.
Inclusions:
For patients with suspected structural heart disease
Patients whose general condition does not preclude further management
Exclusions:
If the result would not change the management please consider appropriateness of the test.
Echocardiography is not indicated in the following conditions unless there additional evidence of structural heart disease (Eg on history/exam/ECG/CXR
- Dizziness/Presyncope
- Atypical Chest Pain
- Hypertension
- Palpitations not suggestive of signifcant arrhythmia
- Infrequent ectopics
- Asymptomatic sinus bradycardia
How To Refer:
Ensure appropriateness of request by checking on list of exclusions (see above)
Complete all sections of Direct Access Echocardiography request form available here
Attach ECG (from within 3 months)
Request via Choose and book to RMS
Patients will be contacted for appointment with one of 5 providers - further details below)
Direct Access Echocardiography Providers:
Echogenicity- echo + consultant cardiologist’s summary/advice
Stennack Surgery Community Echo Service -echo + GP with interest in cardiology’s advice
Express diagnostiscs - echo without advice
Plymouth Health Care Trust – echo without advice
Royal Cornwall Hospitals trust- echo without advice