BMUS Statement on The Guardian’s Report into Unregulated Scan Clinics

5th Nov 2025

Following the publication of an article by The Guardian recently (read here), along with coverage from several other independent news outlets, the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) has issued an official statement addressing the growing concerns surrounding unregulated ultrasound scanning clinics operating in the UK. Please see the statement below:

The British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) have been campaigning for some years to ensure that those undertaking ultrasound scans are properly qualified and, crucially, properly regulated. Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool, but it carries significant risks in terms of both misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This applies to diagnostic ultrasound in the obstetric setting, but also in the non-obstetric setting, for example, in cancer diagnosis. Statutory regulation of sonographers is the only way of properly mitigating those risks, ensuring that our patients are kept safe by guaranteeing that those undertaking diagnostic ultrasound are properly qualified and accountable for their actions.

BMUS does not support the use of 'souvenir' ultrasound scanning in unregulated private pregnancy ultrasound clinics, but recognises that many pregnant people find this an important part of their pregnancy. In the short term, BMUS would recommend that pregnant women choosing to attend a private clinic for a pregnancy scan ask about the qualifications of the person doing their ultrasound scan and whether they are regulated either by a statutory health care regulator, such as the HCPC or are on the voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists.

Dr Peter Cantin, President of the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) and Consultant Sonographer at Derriford Hospital