Northern Medical Ultrasound geared for growth

Barnoldswick-based private ultrasound, screening and pregnancy scan specialist, Northern Medical Ultrasound, is preparing to drive growth and create job opportunities thanks to help from Accrington-based chartered accountancy firm, Haworths.

Experienced sonographer Joanne Holgate, established Northern Medical Ultrasound with her business partner, Sarah Boland in March 2012. The company supplies specialist staff to NHS hospitals and provides a full turnkey scanning and screening service to AQPs (Any Qualified Providers); private companies contracted to deliver outsourced medical services, including community provision at local GP surgeries.

The growth and development of AQP has seen the company expand rapidly over the past two years and Joanne and her team have recently submitted tenders for the latest round of new contracts.

Joanne said: “I originally trained as a sonographer with the NHS and after moving to a private provider I had the idea of setting up my own business offering qualified sonography staff and services.

“Sarah and myself had lots of skills and experience of scanning and screening but not much business knowledge so I asked a friend if he would recommend his accountancy firm and he put me in touch with Haworths.

“That was two years ago and we have worked so closely with them ever since that they have become a vital part of our business planning and commercial success.”

Having initially helped Northern Medical Ultrasound with advice on VAT, Haworths worked with the company to put together a sustainable growth strategy, ensuring that it manages growth both operationally and financially. Northern Medical Ultrasound has also turned to Haworths for advice on contracts with clients, HMRC compliance, accountancy systems and cash flow.

Mark Schofield, director at Haworths, said: “It was clear when we first started working with Northern Medical Ultrasound that the company had significant growth potential but that they needed to put financial systems in place to manage that growth effectively. We have also ensured that they have reviewed their systems and planning at regular intervals to keep pace with their current situation. “The government’s move towards providing localised screening and scanning services at CCG level through the AQP initiative means that there is an even greater opportunity for Northern Medical Ultrasound going forward and we’re delighted to be involved in helping the company to prepare for forthcoming contract bids.”