Yes, private ultrasound scans are generally safe when performed by qualified healthcare professionals using medical-grade equipment.
However, the safety and trustworthiness of a private scan depends heavily on the ultrasound provider’s standards and staff qualifications.
Unsafe Private Scans in the News
Last month, the Society of Radiographers (SoR) warned that its members had seen instances of pregnant women being incorrectly diagnosed with serious health conditions and given dangerous advice by private clinics.
In fact, there have been multiple recent instances of mothers being referred to the hospital from private clinics after being told their baby either had no heartbeat or such a serious abnormality that the pregnancy would need to be terminated. Upon arriving at the hospital, these mothers discovered that their babies were completely healthy and the unqualified sonographers had made a critical mistake.
What Are the Risks of Unregulated Private Clinics?
Unqualified Sonographers
‘Sonographer’ is not a protected job title in the UK, meaning anyone with an ultrasound machine can call themselves a sonographer – even if they have no qualifications whatsoever. This poses a huge risk to both mother and child because it means the individual carrying out your scan may not have had any professional training, which could lead to them missing abnormalities, providing false reassurance, or misdiagnosing serious and life-threatening conditions like ectopic pregnancy.
Lack of Medical Oversight
Unregistered clinics may not know the correct protocol for referral to medical professionals and so if a concern is detected, it may not be reported to the NHS, leading to dangerous delays in care.
Excessive Ultrasound Exposure
Ultrasound pregnancy scans should aim for the lowest possible energy exposure for the shortest amount of time necessary. This is known as the ALARA principle (short for ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’) and unlicensed sonographers may not always stick to it.
Poor Equipment
Unregulated clinics may use second-hand, improperly calibrated and generally unsafe equipment that poses risks to mother and baby. We have even heard of so-called ‘sonographers’ plugging their scan equipment into unprotected power sources, creating an electric shock risk!
How to Find a Safe Private Clinic
Expectant parents in the UK are typically offered just two scans on the NHS: one at around 12 weeks and another at around 20 weeks. So it’s no surprise that many parents choose to book additional scans at private clinics so as to get some extra reassurance between their NHS appointments.
If this is your plan, take the following steps when searching for a safe private ultrasound provider…
- Look for accreditation. If you are in England, it is crucial that you choose a clinic that is registered with a recognised regulatory body, such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In Wales, baby scanning is not a regulated activity by the Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW)and so it is essential that you check your sonographers professional registration.
- Check sonographer credentials. Make sure the clinic’s sonographers are qualified health professionals who are registered with a relevant industry regulator like the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Read reviews and ask for recommendations. Check online reviews and testimonials to find out what other mums-to-be thought of your chosen ultrasound clinic. Or ask friends, family members and/or your GP to recommend a trustworthy scan provider!
- Look at clinic services and policies. Does the clinic offer the specific scan you need? Do they offer diagnostic scans with clear reports and images, or are they just offering ‘keepsake’ and ‘entertainment’ scans? Do they have a process in place to refer you for further care if needed?
By checking these points, you can find a safe, high-quality private scan provider – like First Encounters! All of our sonographers are fully qualified and registered with the HCPC and despite Wales not regulating baby scanning, our clinics previously operated in England and at that time were regulated by the CQC, so you can trust that our team at First Encounters operate under all the regulated protocols.
To explore our testimonials and feedback, check out our reviews page. Alternatively, you can use the button below to book your own ultrasound experience!
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If you have any questions about our private ultrasound clinic or scans, please get in touch with us today!
