Qualified Sonographers At Ultrasound Scanning Services

Indira MistryNews Leave a Comment

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx27pm8d0p3o

The BBC and the British Medical Ultrasound Society have written an article about Private Scanning Clinics. We are glad that they have made the public aware of companies that are providing a service without any qualifcations.

We would like to inform all the members of the public that we are all qualified Sonographers (orginally Radiographers and some have been qualified for more than 30 years.

We are all members of the Society of Radiographers (SOR). We are regulated by CQC (Care Quality Commission) and HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council. We are also on the voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists. We ensure the scan is professional and we provide the utmost care. A report is given after every scan. We also have a NHS contract with BLMK ICB (Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, Integrated Care Board, this is our 7th Year). We specialise in many aspects of ultrasound, including general abdomen, kidneys, pelvic and musckuloskeletal scans. If you are concerned, you are welcome to ring and speak to the Sonographer.

07 11 2025 Additional statement has also been given by BMUS (British Medical Ultrasound Society)

Following the publication of an article by The Guardian recently (read here), along with coverage from several other independent news outlets, the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) has issued an official statement addressing the growing concerns surrounding unregulated ultrasound scanning clinics operating in the UK. Please see the statement below:

The British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) have been campaigning for some years to ensure that those undertaking ultrasound scans are properly qualified and, crucially, properly regulated. Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool, but it carries significant risks in terms of both misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This applies to diagnostic ultrasound in the obstetric setting, but also in the non-obstetric setting, for example, in cancer diagnosis. Statutory regulation of sonographers is the only way of properly mitigating those risks, ensuring that our patients are kept safe by guaranteeing that those undertaking diagnostic ultrasound are properly qualified and accountable for their actions.

BMUS does not support the use of 'souvenir' ultrasound scanning in unregulated private pregnancy ultrasound clinics, but recognises that many pregnant people find this an important part of their pregnancy. In the short term, BMUS would recommend that pregnant women choosing to attend a private clinic for a pregnancy scan ask about the qualifications of the person doing their ultrasound scan and whether they are regulated either by a statutory health care regulator, such as the HCPC or are on the voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists.

Dr Peter Cantin, President of the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) and Consultant Sonographer at Derriford Hospital

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