COVID-19 and Ultrasound

Increased Protection during Ultrasound Scanning

Your safety and that of our staff is our utmost priority during the coronavirus pandemic. All ultrasound scanning and blood tests require close contact between you and the practitioner, so we’ve implemented strict Social Distancing and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) policies for increased protection in our clinics.

NOTE:

You are welcome to bring up to 5 guests to most of our clinics (with some exceptions listed below). You and your guests are required to wear a mask or face covering, in line with the NHS and UK government guidance for enclosed spaces.

Clinics in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are limited to 3 guests (no children) at scan appointments. The following clinics can accommodate 2 guests (no children) at scan appointments: London West. The following clinics can accommodate 1 guest (no children) at scan appointments: Maidenhead, Oxford and Stoke-on-Trent.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary purpose of all our scans will continue to be ensuring yours and your babies well-being.

COVID-19 Pregnancy - ultrasound scans we can offer during COVID-19 breakout

Essential Private Ultrasound Scans

If you're concerned or need reassurance, the following essential scans are available:

Early Scan from 6 weeks for early pregnancy assessments
Either the Dating Scan, babyDATE scan,NIPT or NT scan for confirming dates and blood tests for screening at around 12 weeks
Anomaly Scan for detailed anatomy screening at around 20 weeks
quickASSURE scan for urgent reassurance from 14 weeks
Growth scan for 3rd trimester monitoring from 24 weeks
Presentation scan to verify fetal presentation from 37 weeks

If you would like to know the sex of your baby we will attempt to do this for you free of charge provided you are 16 weeks at the time of your appointment. Do not book an essential scan solely to find out the gender of your baby. Alternatively, you can now book a Gender Scan or 4D Bonding scan which, if your baby is in an unfavourable position, includes a free rescan.

We offer a comprehensive range of general health scans for both women and men, as well as fertility scans.

All pregnancy and health scans include images and reports direct to your mobile device free of charge – see below for details on Social Distancing and Ultrasound Direct toMOBILE.

Social Distancing and Ultrasound Direct toMOBILE

Our social distancing policies are designed to help save lives and protect the NHS:

You and your guests must attend your scan in a facemask or face covering
Handwashing facilities for all clients and staff, and alcohol hand sanitiser where available
Providing staff with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
Wider spacing of chairs in the waiting rooms
Increased cleaning schedules
Complete cleaning of all clinical areas between scan appointments
We are welcoming up to 5 guests during appointments at most clinics (depending on the scan appointment). Images and reports are sent directly to your mobile device via Ultrasound Direct toMOBILE free of charge, which can be shared with extended family members.

We truly understand being without extended family during your pregnancy scan can be upsetting. After all, we pioneered making baby scans a family event over 20 years ago with Babybond®. However, we’re prioritising safer clinics with Ultrasound Direct toMOBILE powered by TRICE® . It enables you to share your scan with family in near real-time at no extra charge.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Pregnancy – the latest guidance

With the evolving situation, we understand some of you may be worried about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the advice on which we are taking very seriously. We will continue to maintain increased and stringent cleaning processes throughout all our clinic locations, ensuring you are not put at any additional risk by attending your appointment.

For more information and the latest advice on COVID-19 during pregnancy, search for ‘COVID-19 Virus Infection and Pregnancy’ and visit the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) website.

NHS direct access community ultrasound

For NHS healthcare professionals only: We are continuing to provide direct access community ultrasound to the NHS for non-obstetrics during the pandemic and, in some areas, we have further capacity to deliver antenatal scans and combined blood tests. Our key attributes include:

Availability staffed by fully qualified healthcare professionals
Private clinics easily accessible by car helping to avoid crowds and practice social distancing
Fully compliant electronic healthcare records from booking through to image and report delivery
CQC regulated clinics rated GOOD operating to the highest possible hygiene standards

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require urgent, short term support in providing local antenatal services. Please note, we can only deal with enquiries from NHS email.