Our Neurophysiology department have again been awarded 'UKAS reaccreditation for IQIPs' (Improving Quality in Physiological Services). We are only one of a few neurophysiology departments in the country to have the accreditation. NHS England, the ICB, NHS Improvement and professional physiology bodies all recognise the importance of IQIPS in contributing to quality outcomes for patients.

It took some work to get there. The department had to undergo a two-day IQIP audit where all their protocols and processors were reviewed by an assessment manager, a member of the public and a neurophysiology clinical lead. They also looked at the department's quality assurance systems, from initial referral right through to the quality and turnaround time of reports. Any findings were requested to be actioned and completed within a strict timeframe, before being reviewed and a decision being made.

IMS Operations Manager, Samantha Croll, said: "This process whilst challenging, ensures that our patients are kept safe, that tests and equipment are accurate, that colleagues are competent and fully trained, and that scheduled audits are carried out. 

"In addition to this, our consultants, doctors and physiologists have worked extremely hard as a team and have significantly decreased the diagnostic waiting time to being seen within 6 weeks, with our performance rising from 45% to 95%, and managing to maintain this.

"I am extremely proud of the whole department."