Yes, a referral from a medical professional is needed to carry out an ultrasound scan.

Kidneys, ureters and bladders: from £400

Abdomen: from £400

Musculoskeletal: from £350

Gynaecological: from £400

Testes: from £350

Doppler ultrasound: from £350

Ultrasound-guided injections: from £610

Pregnancy scanning: available on request

You will be seen by a member of the imaging staff who will escort you throughout your procedure.

A Consultant Radiologist will perform your ultrasound scan.

Depending on the area of your body being scanned, you may receive special instructions beforehand that will help to improve the quality of the images obtained.

For example:
For digestive system, liver or gallbladder scans, you may need to avoid eating for several hours beforehand.

For pelvis and renal scans, you will need to drink plenty of water beforehand to ensure your bladder is full at the time of scanning.

For some interventional procedures, you may be asked what medication you are taking as some of these may need to be stopped prior to scanning.

The Consultant Radiologist will write a report based on the images acquired during your scan. This report will be sent to your referring clinician within 48 hours. You can discuss the results with your clinician at your follow-up appointment.

You can resume normal activities immediately after the scan is complete.

Most ultrasound scans last 15–30 minutes, depending on the type of scan being performed.

There are no known risks associated with the use of ultrasound scans.

Patients undergoing an internal ultrasound scan will be checked for any allergies, for example latex, beforehand so that alternatives can be used, if necessary.

There are two types of ultrasound scan: external and internal. The type of scan you receive depends on the part of your body being scanned and the reason for the scan.

External ultrasound scans are used to examine the heart, liver, kidneys and other abdominal organs. A variety of muscles, joints and tendons can also be scanned this way.

Internal ultrasound scans are used to examine organs such as the prostate gland, ovaries or womb; these can also be scanned using an external ultrasound scan, if requested.

During an internal ultrasound, a small sterile ultrasound probe is gently passed into the vagina or rectum. This may be slightly uncomfortable but should not cause any pain.

An OSD Healthcare chaperone will accompany you throughout the procedure. You may bring a family member or friend along with you but depending on the nature of the scan, they may be asked to wait outside.

Friends and family are always welcome to wait for you in our comfortable waiting areas.