About Nene Valley Diagnostics

Hospital-based cardiac diagnostics with patient-centred care

Our Story

Nene Valley Diagnostics is not a clinic, but rather a carefully selected group of the best doctors and clinical scientists in the region, working together as a hub connecting synergies between them. We bring together exceptional expertise to provide high-quality, accessible cardiac diagnostic services to patients across Northamptonshire.

We gathered together because local providers could not offer the service that we aim to provide, such as 3D and 4D heart scans on top-spec departmental cardiology machines. This carefully selected group recognises the need for convenient access to hospital-grade cardiac imaging without the delays often associated with traditional referral pathways. Our mission is to deliver exceptional cardiac diagnostics using the highest quality equipment, performed by experienced clinical professionals, in a hospital setting that ensures patient safety and rapid escalation when needed.

By working as a hub that connects the synergies between carefully selected specialists, we are committed to making cardiac health assessment accessible, convenient, and of the highest possible standard for all our patients.

Hospital-Based Operation

All Nene Valley Diagnostics services are performed inside Northampton General Hospital. This hospital-based approach is fundamental to our service delivery and offers significant advantages:

  • Immediate escalation – Any urgent or unexpected findings can be immediately escalated to hospital cardiology specialists without delay
  • Hospital infrastructure – Full access to hospital facilities, emergency services, and specialist teams if needed
  • 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 – Purpose-built clinical rooms with optimal lighting, equipment, and patient comfort
  • Seamless care pathways – Direct integration with hospital cardiology services ensures continuity of care
  • Patient safety – Hospital setting provides the highest level of patient safety and reassurance

Unlike community-based or mobile scanning services, our hospital-based operation ensures that every patient receives their cardiac assessment in the optimal clinical setting, with immediate access to specialist care if required.

Philips EPIQ Systems with 3D/4D Imaging

At Nene Valley Diagnostics, we use Philips EPIQ echocardiography systems – the same hospital-grade equipment used in major cardiac centres across the UK. All our echocardiograms include 3D/4D images – we are the only local provider offering this service as standard. This advanced imaging capability provides comprehensive assessment that portable machines cannot match.

⚠️ 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 (often laptop-style devices on a base support) 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

This commitment to equipment quality ensures:

  • Superior image resolution – Crystal-clear images that reveal subtle abnormalities and enable accurate measurements
  • Advanced imaging capabilities – Including 3D/4D echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and strain imaging
  • Comprehensive assessment – All necessary measurements and calculations for complete cardiac evaluation
  • Diagnostic confidence – High-quality images that provide maximum diagnostic certainty
  • Consistent quality – Hospital-grade equipment ensures reliable, reproducible results

We believe that diagnostic accuracy depends on both operator expertise and equipment quality. By using Philips EPIQ systems with 3D/4D imaging capabilities, we ensure that every patient receives the highest standard of cardiac imaging available.

Patient-Centred Approach

At Nene Valley Diagnostics, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our patient-centred approach means:

  • Self-referral access – No GP referral needed for faster, more convenient access to cardiac diagnostics
  • Clear communication – We explain the process clearly and answer any questions you may have
  • Comprehensive reports – Detailed, easy-to-understand reports shared with you and, with your consent, your GP or consultant
  • Respectful care – Professional, compassionate care in a comfortable, reassuring environment
  • Flexibility – Early appointments from 7AM up to late appointments up to 8PM, including weekends, to fit around your busy schedule
  • Transparency – Clear information about what to expect, costs, and results

We understand that cardiac assessment can be anxiety-provoking. Our experienced clinical team is committed to making your experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible, while ensuring you receive the highest quality diagnostic assessment.

Key Team Members

Diogo Martins

Cardiac Clinical Scientist

BSc (Hons), MSc in Echocardiography, TTE (Transthoracic Echocardiography) & TOE (Transoesophageal Echocardiography) EACVI accredited. HCPC registered, with expertise in advanced echocardiography, stress echo, and structural heart procedures.

All echocardiograms at Nene Valley Diagnostics are performed by our highly specialised cardiac clinical scientist with extensive expertise in echocardiography and cardiac diagnostics. Our clinical scientist has experience managing echocardiography departments at major hospitals.

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Clinical Lead Cardiologist

MBBS, MRCP, FRCP, MD

Consultant cardiologist providing clinical oversight and expert interpretation. Special interests in general cardiology and sports cardiology.

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Serving Northamptonshire

Nene Valley Diagnostics provides hospital-based cardiac diagnostics for patients from across Northamptonshire. We serve 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.

Our location at Northampton General Hospital provides convenient access for patients throughout the county, with easy parking and excellent transport links.

All our services are performed inside the hospital using Philips EPIQ systems, ensuring the highest quality cardiac imaging for patients across Northamptonshire.