To provide patient support and clinical continuity in the provision of diagnostic ultrasound systems, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has renewed its seven-year Managed Equipment Service (MES) contract with Canon Medical Systems UK for a third term following a competitive tender bid which involved extensive equipment evaluations across a range of clinical specialities. The ultrasound leadership team in radiology were instrumental in leading the Health Board-wide tender process.
The decision to extend the long-standing partnership to 2031 underscores the Health Board’s confidence in Canon Medical. Over the 20-year collaboration, Canon Medical’s dedicated service – including the provision, maintenance, and replacement of ultrasound systems – has resulted in 100% clinical uptime on equipment, ensuring continuity of high-quality scans for clinicians.
Notably, within one month of signing the contract, Canon Medical successfully replaced 56 ultrasound systems across four sites managed by the Heath Board, with one of the sites being the University Hospital of Wales, the third largest university hospital in the UK, and the largest hospital in Wales. The new ultrasound systems will ensure standardised high-quality patient care across departments and clinical specialities.
As part of the installation process, Canon Medical’s team of experienced, Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered, Clinical Applications Specialists provided extensive training for around 250 Health Board clinicians on the new systems, focusing on equipment set-up, new features and technologies. Clinical Application Specialists and Engineers completed the new installation within just a few weeks to ensure clinical productivity and patient services were unaffected.
The new equipment, which consists of Aplio i-series Prism Edition, Aplio a550, Aplio A, Xario 200G and Viamo SV7, supports the University Health Board to deliver patient-centred care to a population of around 472,400 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Dr. Adam Aboalkaz, Consultant Radiologist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, explained, “Canon Medical is among the best providers of ultrasound equipment when it comes to consistency and reproducibility”.
While standardisation across the Health Board sites was important, the new equipment needed to support various departments and specialities. Of the 56 ultrasound systems, 20 were replaced in the Radiology Directorate, 27 fall under the Directorate of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (including fetal medicine), and the remainder are for the use of other clinical specialties such as vascular, emergency medicine, nephrology, podiatry, and neonatal intensive care.
In radiology, Nerys Thomas, Consultant Sonographer at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and Karen Fido, Superintendent Sonographer at University Hospital Wales, highlighted the exceptional functionality and ergonomics of the ultrasound systems, which enabled continuous service during the transition period. The latest software and advanced ultrasound technology deliver superior image quality across a variety of specialties, allowing clinical teams to make faster, more accurate diagnostic decisions, minimise the need for repeat scans, and ultimately provide a more seamless, patient-centred experience.
Dr. Armin Vandeperre, Consultant in Fetal Medicine and Ultrasound Governance at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, commented, “We are often responsible for scanning women at all stages of pregnancy, where we need to analyse the smallest of details to provide an accurate diagnosis”.
Dr. Aboalkaz added, “The unique Superb Micro-vascular Imaging (SMI) technology integrated in Canon Medical’s equipment is particularly good for liver, renal, and testicular imaging, allowing clinicians more confidence when assessing visceral perfusion. The ease and accuracy of the integrated contrast enhanced ultrasound settings allows for advanced ultrasound practice and massively aids diagnostics. Shear wave elastography and steatosis software (liver package) has been transformative in the assessment of liver disease”.
In addition to learning the latest techniques and capabilities on the new ultrasound systems, clinicians benefit from ongoing face-to-face clinical applications support and online access to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited courses delivered via Canon Medical’s Medical Imaging Education (MIE) platform. Providing flexibility around busy schedules, the on-demand courses are delivered by clinical experts in their respective fields of practice.
Dr. Paul Williams, Principal Clinical Scientist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said, “Having access to Canon Medical’s MIE education platform has been immensely beneficial for staff, along with the How-To Guides for each system to supplement the face-to-face support provided. NHS workers operate in a highly stressful environment and often face burnout. These courses and training materials are empowering staff to learn new techniques and capabilities to continue their learning and subsequently support their wellbeing”.
Tim Palarm, Regional Sales and MES Manager at Canon Medical, concluded, “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for another seven years, and look forward in continuing to collaborate to deliver the most advanced ultrasound imaging, ensuring patients benefit from the highest-quality scans, regardless of department or speciality. While the replacement of 56 ultrasound systems is a huge undertaking, we believe it’s our extensive experience in managing and supporting a managed equipment service, alongside training and ongoing access to CPD-accredited education that really makes the difference to NHS staff wellbeing, and ultimately patients”.
