03/11/2025
You may have seen the articles in the news today regarding scan clinics not using qualified Sonographers.
Babyvision was established in 2005 by Ruth Finch, an Ultrasonographer. Ruth qualified as a Radiographer and then trained in ultrasound with a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Imaging Science (Ultrasound) in 1996 at the University of Hertfordshire. Ruth has over 30 years of experience in Obstetric and Gynaecology ultrasound scanning. Ruth is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Babyvision also employs a Midwife Sonographer with a Post graduate certificate at Birmingham City University in 2016 and has over 10 years experience in obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound scanning, and is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Unfortunately, there are some clinics that exist as mentioned in the news articles today. Here are some questions you can ask a clinic if you are concerned.
What formal qualification does person performing the scans hold?
What professional body are they registered with? This will most likely be either HCPC, NMC or GMC. This means they are registered with a professional body under a recognised health profession.
Ask ‘What happens if something unexpected is seen during the scan?' There should be a system where a report is issued and a referral is made to your usual healthcare provider for follow-up care.
Look out for the following wording that may be a sign a clinic is not using correctly qualified sonographers, ‘Boutique scanning’ and ‘Souvenir scanning’.
