The current crisis in the NHS has resulted in long waiting lists for referrals to gynaecology and routine investigations such as ultrasound scans. The NHS simply does not have the capacity to deal with all the scans requests in a timely manner, with many very sick patients demanding treatment first.
This doesn’t make your symptoms any less important, but the hospitals must prioritise urgent cases. Referrals for urgent scans should be given an appointment within 2 weeks, but the criteria for having an urgent scan is strict, and limited to specific symptoms.
If you are currently experiencing problems, there are alternatives to waiting months for a routine ultrasound scan on the NHS. Somerset Early Scans offers Gynaecological Ultrasound in addition to pregnancy scans, and currently there is no waiting list. We offer scans in a safe environment, and you will be scanned by either an experienced Sonographer, Nurse Practitioner or Doctor, all of whom work in the NHS.
We are proud to have been rated “Outstanding” by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) who stated in their 2022 report:
“People were protected by a strong safety system with a focus on openness, transparency, and learning when things go wrong. The service had enough highly qualified staff to care for women and keep them safe”.
“Staff provided excellent care and treatment”.
“The service had been nominated for a range of awards. Recently, it had won the ‘Ultrasound Clinic of the Year Award 2022’ and were runners up in the Somerset Business Awards 2021 for ‘Service Excellence’”.
“People were truly respected and valued as individuals and were partners in their care, practically and emotionally by an exceptional service”
“The service used a systematic approach to continually improve the quality of its services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in this field would flourish”.
“The leadership, governance and culture were used to drive and improve high-quality person-centred care.”
Many of our clients choose to book an ultrasound scan with Somerset Early Scans after having been referred for a pelvic scan in the NHS by their GP; many are unwilling to wait for a hospital scan appointment. Being scanned privately in a reputable clinic allows quicker and more convenient appointments and faster results, with the reassurance that your scan has been performed by highly qualified staff.
We offer flexible and convenient appointments suited around you and your life with clinics running during the day, evening and at weekends at both our sites in Paulton (near Bath) and Bridgwater.
The pelvis is commonly a source of many problems for women, some of which can be detected by a simple pelvic ultrasound scan. This scan is often requested by your GP in the early stages, following symptoms such as pain, irregular or heavy periods, unusual bleeding or to check the position of an IUCD or coil, and can provide valuable and vital information. Often time is of the essence in many health conditions and seeking early medical advice & services may allow for better outcomes.
What does the pelvic scan involve?
You can either have a transabdominal (TA) scan or a transvaginal (TV) scan to examine the pelvic organs and will talk you through the examination at the start of your appointment. We can only offer a TV scan if you are sexually active, and you have to consent to have it done.
If you opt to have the transabdominal (tummy) scan, you will be asked to come with a full bladder. This scan may be brief if you are also having a TV scan, in which case you would then be asked to empty your bladder.
A transvaginal scan is also routine in most cases which may be offered straight away at the start of the appointment instead of the scan over your pelvis as it can usually give better much information about the pelvic organs. We recommend a transvaginal scan rather than a tummy scan if you are menopausal as the ovaries are smaller and more difficult to see across your tummy. A transvaginal scan generally gives a much clearer view of the pelvic organs and is necessary to look in detail at the lining of the womb.
At the end of the examination, a thorough explanation of the scan findings will be provided. A written formal ultrasound report of the examination including any measurements will be given, or shared with you via email which you can share with your GP or specialist.