Pregnant women undergoing early ultrasound scans are being warned about potential misdiagnoses by the Society of Radiographers.

The organization is urging for proper regulation of sonographers following an incident where a pregnant woman was inaccurately informed that her baby had no heartbeat, leading her to consider an induced miscarriage. It was later revealed that the private clinic had mistakenly scanned a blood clot instead of the healthy fetus.

After receiving a correct NHS scan on Monday, the relieved mother discovered that her baby was indeed alive and well. The Society of Radiographers is advocating for stricter regulations, as currently, anyone with an ultrasound machine can claim to be a sonographer, unlike other healthcare professionals who require specific qualifications and oversight.

The rise of private high street clinics offering pregnancy scans, particularly for women seeking early scans before the routine NHS 2-week appointment, has raised concerns. Elaine Brooks, a former hospital sonographer and Midlands regional officer for the SoR, shared a case where a private clinic misdiagnosed a pregnancy, causing unnecessary distress to the expectant mother before the error was rectified during an NHS scan.

The SoR is pushing for a “protected” job title for sonographers to ensure that only qualified and registered individuals can practice. Concerns have been raised about instances of incorrect diagnoses by unqualified personnel at private clinics, potentially missing significant health issues that could impact the pregnancy.

The Department of Health and Social Care emphasized the importance of appropriate regulation in healthcare professions to prevent inaccurate diagnoses and ensure patient safety. They are open to considering proposals from professional bodies to enhance regulatory measures and maintain high standards of care for patients.