Northamptonshire's Leading Private Echocardiogram Service

Hospital-based at Northampton General Hospital • Philips EPIQ Systems • 3D/4D Imaging as Standard • The Only Local Provider

Self-referral heart scans with superior imaging technology. Flexible appointments 7AM-8PM including weekends. No GP referral needed.

✓ Only local provider with 3D/4D imaging as standard✓ Hospital-based (not community rooms)✓ Flexible appointments including weekends

Key Facts About Nene Valley Diagnostics

Service Name: Nene Valley Diagnostics
Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire
Hospital: Northampton General Hospital
Equipment: Philips EPIQ hospital-grade echocardiography systems
Unique Feature: Only local provider offering 3D/4D echocardiography as standard
Appointment Times: 7AM to 8PM, 7 days a week including weekends
Referral Required: No - self-referral available
Areas Served: Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, and all of Northamptonshire
Service Type: Hospital-based private echocardiograms
Specialty: Cardiology and Echocardiography

Why Choose Nene Valley Diagnostics

Northamptonshire's premier private echocardiogram service. Hospital-based cardiac diagnostics with superior imaging technology that sets us apart.

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Hospital-Based Testing

All echocardiograms are performed inside Northampton General Hospital, not in community rooms or portable setups. This ensures the highest standards of care and immediate access to hospital facilities if needed.

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Philips EPIQ Systems with 3D/4D Imaging

Every scan uses hospital-grade Philips EPIQ echocardiography systems – not portable or handheld equipment. All our echocardiograms include 3D/4D images – we are the only local provider offering this service as standard. Superior resolution, clarity, and diagnostic confidence for accurate results.

Rapid Escalation

Because scans occur inside Northampton General Hospital, any urgent or unexpected findings can be escalated quickly. No delays waiting for off-site reviews or referrals.

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Self-Referral Access

Adults can book their own echocardiograms directly without a GP referral. Simple, straightforward access to high-quality cardiac diagnostics when you need them.

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Flexible Appointment Times

We offer early appointments from 7AM up to late appointments up to 8PM, including weekends to fit around your busy schedule. Book at a time that works for you.

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Athlete Screening

Specialist echocardiograms for endurance athletes, competitive amateurs, club players, and sports people. Comprehensive cardiac screening tailored to athletic needs.

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Carefully Selected Expert Group

Nene Valley Diagnostics is a carefully selected group of the best doctors and clinical scientists in the region, working together as a hub connecting synergies between them. Works with named consultant cardiologists recognised by major insurers. Insured patients may have echos performed at Nene Valley Diagnostics via partner consultants (not a general insurance clinic).

Why Image Quality Matters

Echocardiography is a highly operator-dependent and equipment-dependent investigation. The quality of the images obtained directly impacts diagnostic accuracy and confidence.

⚠️ Important: Understanding Equipment Differences

When choosing an echocardiogram, it's important to understand that equipment quality directly impacts diagnostic accuracy. Portable and handheld echocardiography machines have inherent technical limitations compared to hospital-grade systems.

Don't let your health depend on a portable machine. These devices typically cannot provide 3D/4D imaging, and image definition may not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis of subtle cardiac abnormalities.

At Nene Valley Diagnostics, we use Philips EPIQ systems – hospital-grade equipment that ensures the highest standard of cardiac imaging with superior resolution and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities.

Portable echocardiography machine - laptop style on base support

Portable Machine

Portable echocardiography machine

Portable Machine

Philips EPIQ hospital-grade echocardiography system

Philips EPIQ System

Hospital-grade with 3D/4D imaging

It's important for patients to be aware that portable and handheld echocardiography machines, while convenient, have inherent technical limitations:

  • Reduced image resolution – Lower quality images may miss subtle abnormalities or make accurate measurements challenging
  • Limited functionality – Advanced imaging modes and comprehensive measurements may not be available
  • Diagnostic uncertainty – Lower quality images may require repeat scans or additional investigations to confirm findings
  • No 3D/4D imaging – Portable machines typically cannot provide the advanced 3D/4D imaging capabilities needed for comprehensive cardiac assessment

At Nene Valley Diagnostics, we use Philips EPIQ echocardiography systems – the same hospital-grade equipment used in major cardiac centres. All our echocardiograms include 3D/4D images – we are the only local provider offering this service as standard. This ensures:

  • Superior image resolution and clarity
  • Advanced imaging capabilities including 3D/4D echocardiography
  • Accurate measurements and comprehensive assessment
  • Maximum diagnostic confidence for you and your referring clinician

Hospital-Based Reassurance

When you choose Nene Valley Diagnostics, your echocardiogram is performed inside Northampton General Hospital. This offers significant advantages:

  • Immediate escalation – If your scan reveals any urgent findings, we can immediately escalate to the appropriate hospital specialists without delay
  • Hospital facilities – Full access to hospital infrastructure, emergency services, and specialist teams if needed
  • Seamless care pathways – Direct integration with hospital cardiology services ensures continuity of care
  • Report in hospital system – Your images and report will be in the hospital system, easy to compare with the next visits, available if you have an unfortunate visit to A&E, an inpatient stay, or simply an outpatient visit. This ensures hospital staff have immediate access to your cardiac assessment when needed
  • Professional environment – Scans performed in a dedicated, purpose-built clinical environment with all necessary equipment and support
  • Peace of mind – Knowing you're in a hospital setting provides reassurance that any concerns will be addressed immediately

Unlike community-based or mobile scanning services, our hospital-based approach ensures that your cardiac assessment is performed in the optimal setting, with immediate access to specialist care if required.

Echocardiograms for Athletes and Sports People

Whether you're a competitive athlete, endurance runner, cyclist, or participate in regular intense exercise, cardiac screening can provide important insights into your heart health.

Our specialist athlete echocardiograms assess:

  • Heart structure and function
  • Chamber sizes and wall thickness
  • Valve function
  • Exercise-related adaptations
  • Any abnormalities that may affect athletic performance or safety

Performed using hospital-grade Philips EPIQ systems, our athlete scans provide the clarity and detail needed for accurate assessment of the athletic heart.

Learn more about athlete echocardiograms

How It Works

Simple, straightforward access to hospital-based cardiac diagnostics

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Self-Refer

No GP referral needed. Book directly through our online booking form or contact us to arrange your appointment.

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Book Appointment

Choose a convenient time for your echocardiogram at Northampton General Hospital. We offer early appointments from 7AM up to late appointments up to 8PM, including weekends, to fit around your busy schedule. We'll confirm your appointment details.

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Hospital-Based Scan

Your echocardiogram is performed inside Northampton General Hospital using Philips EPIQ systems by our experienced registered clinical scientist.

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Report Shared

Your detailed report is shared with you and, with your consent, your GP or consultant. Rapid escalation if any urgent findings.

What Sets Us Apart

When choosing a private echocardiogram service in Northamptonshire, here's why Nene Valley Diagnostics stands out:

✓ 3D/4D Imaging as Standard

We are the only local provider offering 3D/4D echocardiography as standard with every scan. This advanced imaging provides comprehensive assessment that portable machines cannot match.

✓ Hospital-Based Service

All scans performed inside Northampton General Hospital, not in community rooms or mobile units. This ensures immediate access to hospital facilities and rapid escalation if needed.

✓ Philips EPIQ Systems

Hospital-grade equipment used in major cardiac centres. Not portable or handheld machines. Superior resolution and diagnostic confidence.

✓ Flexible Appointments

Early appointments from 7AM to 8PM, including weekends. Unlike other providers with limited availability, we fit around your schedule.

✓ Self-Referral Available

No GP referral needed. Book directly and get the cardiac assessment you need, when you need it.

✓ Reports in Hospital System

Your images and report are stored in the hospital system, accessible to A&E, inpatient, and outpatient services. Easy to compare with future visits.

Private Echocardiograms Across Northamptonshire

Nene Valley Diagnostics provides private echocardiograms for patients from Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Daventry, Rushden, Brackley, Towcester, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Burton Latimer, Desborough, Rothwell, Raunds, Thrapston, Oundle, Wootton, Brixworth, Moulton, and surrounding villages across Northamptonshire.

Our hospital-based service at Northampton General Hospital is easily accessible from all areas of the county, including those near Three Shires Hospital and Woodland Hospital in Kettering. We offer convenient access to high-quality cardiac diagnostics with 3D/4D imaging as standard, flexible appointments including weekends, and no GP referral needed.

Why choose us over other providers? We are the only local provider offering 3D/4D echocardiography as standard, using hospital-grade Philips EPIQ systems inside Northampton General Hospital. Unlike community-based services or providers with limited appointment availability, we offer flexible scheduling from 7AM to 8PM, including weekends.

Northampton Kettering Corby Wellingborough Daventry Rushden Brackley Towcester Higham Ferrers Irthlingborough Burton Latimer Desborough Rothwell Raunds Thrapston Oundle Wootton Brixworth Moulton

What Our Patients Say

"I was impressed by the quality of the scan and the professional, reassuring approach. Knowing it was done in the hospital gave me complete confidence in the process."

— Patient from Northampton

"As a competitive runner, I wanted a thorough cardiac assessment. The clarity of the images and the detailed report were exactly what I needed. Highly recommended."

— Athlete from Kettering

"The self-referral process was straightforward, and I appreciated being able to book directly without waiting for a GP appointment. Excellent service from start to finish."

— Patient from Wellingborough

Ready to Book Your Echocardiogram?

Self-referral heart scans at Northampton General Hospital using Philips EPIQ systems

Book Your Echocardiogram