Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the AXREM Accreditation Scheme?
A: AXREM is launching the AXREM Member Accreditation (AMA) Scheme which is a true low cost “not for profit” accreditation scheme which is specifically aligned with NHS requirements and policies. Indeed, the AXREM Member Accreditation Scheme Council includes representations from The Society and College of Radiographers, Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine and The British Institute of Radiology. This will ensure that the scheme maintains alignment with NHS and Professional Body stakeholders.
Q: How does the AXREM Accreditation Scheme work and what does it cover?
A: Fundamentally this scheme is an “Employers” scheme such that the AXREM Employer organisation underwrites the credentials of its employees against agreed criteria. AXREM will carry out inspections to ensure that the correct procedures are being adhered to by the relevant companies. Scheme member employers commit to reflect NHS policies relating to DBS checking, Vaccination policy, Health & Safety, and other policies deemed appropriate by the Scheme Council. In addition to their employer’s badge, staff will carry an AMA membership card which will display the following information:
- Employee Name
- Employer Company Name
- Photograph of Employee
- Unique ID number and associated QR code
The employment status of the individual can be simply checked at any time by scanning the badge on the QR code without requiring specialist equipment, (e.g. code can be validated using a simple smart phone).
Q: When did the AMA scheme go live?
A: The AMA Scheme went live on Tuesday 5th April 2022 and now has over 2000 registrants.
Q: Why has the AXREM Accreditation Scheme been set up?
A: AXREM (the UK trade association representing suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT and care equipment in the UK), are aware that some NHS Trusts in England have contracted with 3rd party companies to provide a credentialing and accreditation service on their behalf. We understand that these have been positioned as “free” services to participating NHS Trusts, though these credentialing companies levy a charge to supplier organisations on a recurring annual “per employee” basis. Whilst offered as a free service to NHS Trusts, these schemes present additional costs within the supply chain which ultimately impacts the price the NHS pays for goods and services.
Furthermore, there are multiple scheme operators and supplier employees registered with one scheme are potentially still refused access should the NHS Trust they are visiting have contracted with an alternate scheme.
Q: Is the AMA profit making?
A: No. The rationale for this scheme is to have a single, not for profit scheme which covers the majority of suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT and care equipment in the UK. In turn this reduces complexity for NHS Trusts, and ensures costs are minimised and are not exacerbated across many ‘for profit’ providers. Any surplus made on this scheme will be used to subsidise the scheme in the following year, to protect the goal of keeping costs minimised .
Q: Why should organisations recognise the AMA scheme?
A: The scheme is a low-cost credentialing system which supplements existing contractual commitments entered into by suppliers. As an Employers’ scheme, the credentials of the card holders are assured directly by the Employer and not a third party. AXREM together with the Scheme Council will govern the scheme and the conduct of its members. The Scheme is operated on a “not for profit” basis limiting costs that might otherwise push up end customer pricing.
Q: How does the AMA scheme differ from other Credentialing schemes?
A: Whilst governed by AXREM and the Scheme Council, the credentials of card holders are warranted by the Employer company as opposed to a third party. This vastly simplifies Data Privacy and GDPR management, and consequentially reduces the complexity and costs associated with managing the scheme. Furthermore, AMA is purely an accreditation scheme and is not associated with provision of scheduling systems or third-party training.
Q: Why might Suppliers join the AMA Scheme as opposed to other schemes?
A: The AMA Scheme focusses solely on establishing the legitimate identity and credentials of card holders, and therefore keeps costs minimized by not adding ‘for profit’ elements. It represents the majority of AXREM members, governed by a council including The Society and College of Radiographers, Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine and The British Institute of Radiology which provides a consistent approach aligned with the NHS. On go live, the AMA scheme will be the most comprehensively adopted accreditation scheme within medical imaging and oncology treatment companies in the UK.
Q: Why is AXREM no longer advocating the LSI Credentialing Scheme?
A: AXREM has previously advocated the merits of a single scheme operated on a “not for profit” basis, and since 2016 has been supporting the Academy for Healthcare Science’s creation of the LSI National Credentialing Register. We perceive that comprehensive adoption of the LSI scheme has been compromised by the absence of assurances that it will be accepted by Trusts that have engaged the commercial operators in this space. In addition, AXREM believe that it is important to ensure clear separation between credentialing activities and the commercial interests of training providers and those offering other “for profit” services.
Q: What if a Customer or Supplier has already engaged another Credentialing company?
A: It is up to each Customer and Supplier to decide if they wish to participate in other Schemes. We would advocate the merits of AMA as a low cost, (zero cost to customers), credentialing option. We anticipate the AMA scheme will enjoy the most comprehensive membership of diagnostic medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment suppliers in the UK. We accordingly seek its (non-exclusive) adoption such that AMA card holders are not denied access to sites on the basis of identity/credentialing verification.
Q: How can the validity of an AMA card be checked?
A: The employment status of the individual can be simply checked at any time by scanning the badge’s unique QR code via a smartphone, (i.e. no specialist equipment is required). The scan result will either confirm the identity of the card holder and the validity of the card, or alternatively will indicate that the card is not valid.
Q: What geographies does the AMA Scheme cover?
A: The AMA Scheme covers the United Kingdom
Q: Who are members of the AMA Scheme?
A: Members of the AMA scheme are AXREM members (the UK trade association representing suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT and care equipment in the UK), and include the following:
Agfa Healthcare IT, Agfa Healthcare UK, Bracco, Canon Medical Systems, Change Healthcare, Elekta, Fujifilm UK, GE Healthcare, HULBERT Imaging, Med Imaging, Medray UK, Philips Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Soliton IT, Varian Medical Systems, Xograph Healthcare,
with a full list found at the following address www.axrem.org.uk/AMA
Q: What NHS requirements and policies is the AMA aligned with?
Scheme member employers commit to reflect NHS policies relating to DBS checking, Vaccination policy, Health & Safety, and other policies deemed appropriate by the Scheme Council.
Q: How is the AMA scheme governed?
The scheme will be governed by the AMA Scheme Council comprising of:
- AMA Council Chairman: elected by the AXREM Executive Committee for 2 years (can be re-elected after this period with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms).
- AMA Vice Chairman: to be elected by the AMA Council (with the same terms as above).
- AMA Management shall be the AXREM Director.
- The remaining members shall be nominated independent of AXREM representatives of the diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy and Imaging IT industry organisations such as government departments, supply chain organisations, professional bodies, royal colleges and societies.
The council’s aims are to ensure that the AMA Scheme effectively pursues its aims and is financially viable. Set strategy and governance where appropriate and oversees implementation of strategy and effective/efficient management of AMA through the AXREM Director.
Meetings will be held as required, but typically 3 times a year and minutes will be made available publicly via the AMA website page www.axrem.org.uk/AMA
Q: How are companies inspected?
A: On an annual basis, member companies could be inspected by the AMA staff and asked to prove that the correct procedures are being adhered to. Employers will need to provide relevant evidence to ensure employees are compliant with the AMA requirements.
Q: What are the costs to the NHS?
A: There are no costs borne directly by the NHS. By having a single provider on a “not for profit” basis, the costs to suppliers are minimised. Member companies contribute a small annual fee per employee to cover the cost elements such as identity badge production, administration, and audits.
Additional FAQ’s for AXREM members
Q: How do I join the AMA Scheme and what are my obligations?
A: To join the scheme, Employer companies would need to:
1) Be a member of AXREM.
2) Complete a Certification Questionnaire with sections relating to, Training, DBS checking, Vaccination policy, Health & Safety, etc. (all following the Guiding Principle to reflect NHS policies).
3) Sign a Declaration that the Company accepts full responsibility (within the scope of the scheme) for all its staff that carry a valid AMA card.
4) Allow audits to be undertaken at the discretion of AXREM
Q: What are the costs?
A: THE AMA Scheme is not for profit, and costs would reflect the size of the organization.
FIRST YEAR: Initial Employer Registration Fee (to cover initial Company validation checks). Covers 12 months membership. Fixed fee, circa £500 Initial fee per member – includes card production and annual administration costs. £20/member
SUBSEQUENT YEARS: Annual Fee (to cover Company validation checks). Covers 12 months membership. Fixed fee, anticipate £500 per annum (to be reviewed after year one) Fee per member – includes card production and annual administration costs. circa £10/member & replacement cards £20 per person
Should you have a question that is not covered above please contact AMA by emailing: