Babybond Ultrasound

Absolutely yes. The service provider, however, must have a recognised clinical framework (correct processes for providing clinical services directly to the public) in place. All of our ultrasound services comply with guideline recommendations and are maintained to the required standard.

Popular reasons for booking a private ultrasound directly are to avoid a long wait for an appointment, having a wider choice of appointment times to choose from and, in some cases, when your particular scan is not available via the NHS locally. In addition, we assign more time to each appointment than the typical hospital equivalent and the results from the vast majority of our scans are given to you on the day.

Please go to our clinic receptionist on arrival who will then ask you to read through our consent form and discuss any aspect of your scan before your appointment. You will not need to change into a gown, but please read any pre scan preparations found in the scan descriptions and your booking confirmation. Payments and balances are taken once you have signed the consent form and before the scan.

The majority of our scans are carried out by Sonographers. Sonographers usually train first as a Radiographer, then undertake an approved post-registration course. These courses are offered by higher education and as a minimum require 1 additional academic year that prepares them both clinically and academically for this specific area of practice. All practicing Radiographers are regulated by the Healthcare Professions Council. Other types of health care professional who may provide our scans are either suitably experienced Doctors or Sonographer Midwives specifically for pregnancy scans.

In nearly all cases your scan results will be given to you at the end of your scan appointment in a clear written format with supporting images. Examples of when this may not be possible are when you need to come back for a re-scan or your scan result needs to be combined with a blood test to determine the full result.

If your scan result is a medical follow-up recommendation, this will be clearly explained as to why at the end of your scan. You will be counselled by our experienced staff, given a detailed report including images and, unless you specifically request us not to, a copy report will be sent directly to your GP within 48 hours.

All legalities and security procedures are in place and your results will not be viewed by any unauthorised person. Your permission is always obtained before we contact your GP if this is a necessary course of action.

A private scan is your choice and our Sonographers will accommodate up to 3 guests, more if you let us know in advance. It is worth noting that certain scans may involve intimate scanning and we recommend if you require a chaperone that you bring someone you feel comfortable with as there may not be suitable staff available.

During your scan time you will be able to see your images in real time on a dedicated viewing monitor. Occasionally, you may be asked to lie in a position where this is not possible. During your scan, our Sonographers will explain to you what it is they are imaging.

Provided the ultrasound service on offer is being operated to the required guidelines, there are no contraindications for first line ultrasound scans. Since ultrasound is not an ionising radiation such as x-ray, there are also no known hazardous effects associated with multiple first line scans, again provided the service is operated to recommended guidelines. The safety of diagnostic ultrasound continues to be researched and monitored by the relevant professional bodies.