Story Highlight
– Concerns raised over untrained sonographers in clinics.
– Misdiagnoses leading to distressing patient outcomes reported.
– Calls for regulated title to ensure qualified sonographers.
– Ectopic pregnancies and fetal abnormalities often missed.
– Department of Health acknowledges need for better regulation.
Full Story
Concerns have been raised by leading radiographers regarding the presence of “unsafe” high street clinics offering ultrasound scans for expectant parents, amid alarming reports of serious misdiagnoses and overlooked medical emergencies. The Society of Radiographers (SoR) has indicated that an increasing number of these private establishments are providing pregnancy scans, often staffed by personnel who lack the necessary training and qualifications.
According to the SoR, the lack of regulation allows anyone with access to an ultrasound machine to label themselves as a sonographer, a significant deviation from the standards required of other healthcare professionals who must undergo proper training before practicing. This unregulated environment poses considerable risks to both mothers and their babies, potentially leading to life-threatening situations.
Examples cited by the SoR include cases where a blood clot was mistaken for a malformed foetus, which resulted in a recommendation for an induced miscarriage despite the baby being perfectly healthy. In another instance, an ectopic pregnancy—known for its potential to become life-threatening—went undetected. Additional alarming cases comprised missed abnormalities and an erroneous diagnosis related to cervical issues, where outdated advice led practitioners to suggest unnecessary bed rest for the mother.
The SoR is advocating for the establishment of a “protected” title for sonographers. This measure would ensure that only individuals who are properly qualified and registered with a recognised regulatory body can designate themselves as sonographers. Katie Thompson, president of the SoR and an experienced hospital sonographer, emphasised the public’s assumption that individuals performing scans are appropriately qualified. “When people go for a scan or any kind of diagnostic test, they assume that the person they’re going to see is qualified to do it. They don’t realise that anybody can buy a machine and call themselves a sonographer,” she explained. With a formal registration, patients would have recourse to a regulatory body should any issues arise.
In her capacity as a former hospital sonographer and regional officer for the SoR, Elaine Brooks shared a troubling anecdote. She recounted a case in which a woman was referred to a hospital from a private clinic, where she had been told at eight or nine weeks into her pregnancy that her baby had no heartbeat and was severely malformed. In tears, the woman attended the hospital where Brooks was employed. On examination, however, the sonographer discovered a healthy pregnancy with a heartbeat, while the supposed malformation was, in fact, a blood clot that had been inaccurately measured. “If the hospital had given her the medication the private clinic had recommended, that baby would have miscarried,” Brooks noted, emphasising the distress this caused the mother, who had unknowingly consumed alcohol over the weekend in a state of despair.
Brooks also highlighted instances in which expectant parents sought to determine their baby’s gender at private clinics shortly before their scheduled NHS scans, only to be faced with profound abnormalities during later examinations. “On other occasions, officials have seen cases where ectopic pregnancies have been missed,” she added.
Furthermore, the SoR expressed concerns regarding individuals who have been prohibited from working in NHS settings but continue to find roles within private clinics. Gill Harrison, a professional officer for ultrasound with the SoR, commented on the anonymity patients experience regarding who performs their scans. “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,” she said.
In response to these troubling revelations, the Department of Health and Social Care expressed deep concern for families affected by misdiagnoses. A spokesperson stated, “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 department confirmed that it is continually reviewing the regulation of healthcare professionals to uphold patient safety and will consider any proposals from professional bodies aimed at strengthening safeguards in this area.
This highlights a serious patient safety gap. Ultrasound is operator dependent and requires formal training, clinical governance and clear escalation pathways. Regulated titles and mandatory competency standards for those performing pregnancy scans would reduce risk of missed diagnoses and improve consistency of care. Clinics offering antenatal imaging should be subject to the same quality assurance, audit and safeguarding checks as hospital services, and patients must be given clear information about the qualifications of the person performing the scan and where to seek urgent help if concerns arise. Implementation should include accessible reporting routes for incidents and a programme of routine inspection and continuing professional development.