'Unqualified staff' at private scan clinics putting pregnant women ‘at risk’

Some high street ultrasound clinics are putting women and unborn babies ‘in danger’ by allowing untrained and unregistered staff to carry out pregnancy scans, the Society of Radiographers (SoR) has warned.

The SoR, which acts as both a trade union and the professional body for experts in medical imaging, said its members have reported alarming cases of unsafe practice and serious misdiagnoses at some private scanning centres.

The findings have triggered calls to make ‘sonographer’ a legally protected title.

In several incidents, pregnant women were wrongly told they or their babies had severe medical conditions or were given dangerous health advice, the body said.

Some were even advised to end their pregnancies after being told their babies had abnormalities, only to be later told in hospital that their babies were healthy.

The organisation also uncovered other examples of poor practice, including major foetal abnormalities like spina bifida being missed.

In some cases, ectopic pregnancies, where a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, were either undiagnosed or incorrectly diagnosed.

The body also identified a radiographer who continued to work privately as a sonographer despite being struck off and banned from NHS employment for sexual misconduct.

Katie Thompson, president of the SoR and a practising hospital sonographer said women were also being mistakenly sent to hospital after private clinics wrongly suspected an ectopic pregnancy.

‘The ladies are understandably very anxious when they arrive at hospital.

‘But often it’s just very, very early in the pregnancy, and the private clinic hasn’t been able to identify the early pregnancy sac,’ she said.

A legally protected title

Many private sonographers are already qualified midwives or radiographers, and specialist ultrasound training courses are available.

However, there is currently no legal requirement for those carrying out scans to hold such qualifications.

The SoR is urging the government to make ‘sonographer’ a legally protected job title in the UK.

This would ensure that only those who are properly qualified and registered with a recognised regulatory body could describe themselves as sonographers.

Earlier this year, MPs voted to bring in new legislation to protect the title of ‘nurse’.

The move would see it become a criminal offence to use the title without the right Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration and could see anyone who violates this facing ‘a hefty fine running into the thousands of pounds’.

At present, anyone can purchase an ultrasound machine and offer scans to the public, often marketed as ‘reassurance,’ ‘souvenir,’ or ‘gender reveal’ appointments, which are typically carried out before the routine 20-week NHS scan.

Gill Harrison, the SoR’s professional officer for ultrasound, said: ‘Patients often don’t know who’s conducting their scan.

‘Many are appalled when they realise that someone with no qualifications, or who has been struck off a professional register, can still perform their ultrasound scan.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘No parent should face the trauma of an incorrect diagnosis, and our sympathies are with families affected.

‘We are committed to ensuring appropriate regulation for all health and care professions so patients can feel confident their care is in safe and qualified hands.

‘The regulation of healthcare professionals is kept under review to ensure patient safety remains paramount. We will carefully consider any proposals from professional bodies regarding this.’

This summer, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced plans to launch regulations that would allow only qualified healthcare professionals such as nurses to perform ‘high-risk’ cosmetic procedures, like Brazilian Butt Lifts.