About Somerset Early Scans
Our Journey and Commitment to Excellence
Somerset Early Scans was founded to provide expert comprehensive obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound services, ensuring women have access to expert care throughout pregnancy and for all aspects of gynaecological health. From early pregnancy viability scans to detailed fetal growth and well-being assessments, we support expectant parents at every stage. Our gynaecological services offer vital insights into conditions such as PCOS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, and fertility monitoring, empowering women with the information they need about their reproductive health.
What sets us apart is that Somerset Early Scans is led by experienced clinicians who also work in busy tertiary teaching hospitals in Bristol. Our team is actively involved in advanced clinical practice, teaching, and training the next generation of sonographers, obstetricians, and gynaecologists. This unique combination of hands-on expertise, research-driven care, and medical education ensures our patients receive the highest level of knowledge, precision, and best practices in ultrasound diagnostics.
Since our establishment in 2014, we have continuously expanded our services to meet the needs of our patients. In 2015, we introduced non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), offering state-of-the-art screening for Down’s syndrome. By 2017, we opened our Bath clinic and launched an online booking system, making access to care even more convenient.
To meet growing demand, we have built a highly skilled team of specialists. Over the years, we have welcomed Advanced Practitioner Sonographers Victoria and Bea and Nurse Practitioner Angela, strengthening our ability to provide expert scanning and patient care. Our dedicated Clinic Assistants, including Bridget and Joanna in Bath, Rebecca in Bridgwater and Spoorthy in Bristol, ensure a welcoming and supportive environment for every patient.
In 2021, we introduced fertility services, primarily based in Bridgwater, where we run a satellite clinic in partnership with the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM).
Continuing our commitment to accessible, high-quality care, we expanded again in 2025, opening a new Bristol clinic at Litfield House to enhance convenience for patients in Bristol and surrounding areas. Additionally, Suvarna Mahavarkar, Consultant Gynaecologist, joined the team, bringing vital expertise in gynaecological imaging and diagnostics, further strengthening our ability to support women’s reproductive health beyond pregnancy.
As we continue to grow, we have further strengthened our clinical team with the addition of experienced Sonographers Jane and Hannah, both of whom bring extensive expertise in obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound, enhancing our ability to provide exceptional diagnostic care. In 2024, we also welcomed Amie Whittard, a highly skilled Sonographer with nearly 20 years of experience, further enriching our team with her dedication to compassionate, patient-centred care.
We have now cared for thousands of clients, receiving countless messages of appreciation. Our ability to provide compassionate, unhurried care—tailored to patients’ needs rather than NHS resource limitations—makes our work deeply rewarding.
Recognitions & Professional Standards
Rated “Outstanding” overall in our 2022 Care Quality Commission inspection
Highly rated on Trustpilot for exceptional patient care
Runners-up in the Somerset Business Awards (2021) for Service Excellence
Winners of the Prestige Award for Ultrasound Clinic of the Year (2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24)
We are fully insured, registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, and adhere to professional standards set by the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Society of Radiographers.
Our commitment remains the same—to provide exceptional, compassionate care, ensuring every patient feels reassured, informed, and supported throughout pregnancy and all aspects of gynaecological health.
Dr Suvarna Mahavarkar
Consultant Gynaecologist, Director and CQC Manager
Dr. Suvarna Mahavarkar is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with extensive expertise in early pregnancy and gynaecological scans. She ensures the highest standards of personalised and patient-centred care.
Suvarna works closely with a team of expert sonographers, delivering accurate assessments and timely reassurance for concerns for all aspects of early pregnancy and gynaecological conditions. Her leadership and clinical excellence foster a supportive environment where every woman feels valued, informed, and cared for.
Suvarna completed her specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, including rotations in the East Midlands, Peninsula, and Severn deaneries. She completed specialist training in early pregnancy care, acute gynaecology, and benign gynaecology, developing expertise in diagnosing and managing complex gynaecological conditions. She also has a diploma in Psychosexual Counselling which helps her to deal with sensitive conditions.
Currently a Consultant Gynaecologist at a leading tertiary hospital in Bristol, she also offers private consultations at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, providing tailored, high-quality care. Her combined NHS, teaching, and private practice experience ensures the best possible outcomes for her patients.
Angela Nicholson
Specialist Nurse Practitioner Sonographer, Nominated CQC individual
Specialist in Gynaecology & Early Pregnancy Imaging
With 25 years of experience in women’s health, Angela specialises in early pregnancy and fertility care, performing detailed gynaecological scans for fertility assessments, early pregnancy monitoring, and diagnosing gynaecological conditions. She is committed to providing reassurance and support to women during critical times.
A highly experienced ultrasound trainer, Angela teaches radiography students and Obstetric Registrars advanced scanning techniques in gynaecology and early pregnancy imaging. Her dedication to excellence has earned her several prestigious awards, which she considers a great honour.
Angela is proud to be part of Somerset Early Scans, a team dedicated to empowering women with confidence and clarity through expert imaging and compassionate care.
She holds a Diploma in Midwifery from the University of Exeter (1993) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ultrasound from the University of the West of England, Bristol (2004). She is also a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council and the Society of Radiographers, reflecting her commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards.
Victoria Davis
Lead Sonographer
With over 20 years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ultrasound, Victoria has worked at a regional NHS expert centre and in private practice, including Clarion in Bath. She specialises in complex gynaecological, early pregnancy, and fetal medicine scanning, combining clinical expertise with a compassionate and empathetic approach.
A dedicated ultrasound educator, she has trained radiography students and Obstetric Registrars while leading quality assurance initiatives to uphold the highest standards of care. She is particularly passionate about early pregnancy and gynaecological scans, providing reassurance, clarity, and support to patients during critical moments. Her expertise in foetal medicine scanning ensures detailed assessments of foetal health and development.
As a mother of three with personal experience of pregnancy loss, Victoria deeply understands the emotional challenges of pregnancy. She is committed to delivering kind, patient-centred care, making every woman feel supported and informed.
She is excited to be part of Somerset Early Scans, working alongside Suvarna and the team to provide expert care throughout pregnancy.
Victoria holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound and a Diploma of the College of Radiographers (Bath). She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, a member of the Society of Radiographers, and listed on the Public Voluntary Register of Sonographers.
Beata Anderson
Senior Sonographer
Bea finds great fulfilment in supporting women through early pregnancy, a unique and often vulnerable time. She is passionate about providing reassurance, compassionate care, and clear communication, helping patients feel supported and confident as they navigate this journey.
At Somerset Early Scans, she performs detailed gynaecological scans, early pregnancy assessments, and foetal medicine imaging, ensuring clinical precision with emotional reassurance. She is particularly skilled at identifying and addressing concerns in a way that puts patients at ease.
With over five years of experience in women’s health, Bea has worked in gynaecology and early pregnancy care. Before completing her ultrasound training, she worked as a mental health nurse and nursing assistant in a busy Early Pregnancy Unit in Bristol, deepening her understanding of holistic patient care.
As a mother of twin boys who experienced a high-risk pregnancy, Bea understands the anxieties expectant parents face and channels this empathy into her patient care.
She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound from the University of the West of England and a Diploma in Mental Health. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and is a member of the Society of Radiographers, reflecting her commitment to the highest professional standards.
Amie Whittard
Senior Sonographer
Amie is a highly experienced Sonographer with nearly 20 years of expertise in ultrasound. Originally trained as a Diagnostic Radiographer, she later specialised in ultrasound and has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, patient-centred care. She currently works within a busy NHS hospital in Somerset, where she feels privileged to practice a profession she loves.
Passionate about ensuring families receive the time, reassurance, and understanding they need, Amie takes great care to support patients through pregnancy and gynaecological scans, delivering expertise with warmth and empathy.
She is proud to be associated with Somerset Early Scans, recognising the team’s friendly, experienced, and supportive approach in delivering an invaluable service to women and families.
Hannah Johnson
Sonographer
With over 13 years of NHS experience, including 11 years as a Sonographer, Hannah specialises in Obstetric and Gynaecological ultrasound, managing complex cases with expertise and care. She is committed to providing reassurance through thorough diagnostics, helping women navigate pregnancy and gynaecological health with confidence and understanding.
Hannah also works in a tertiary teaching hospital, delivering advanced gynaecological care. She is passionate about patient-centred care, ensuring every woman feels supported, reassured, and heard during scans.
Believing in Somerset Early Scans’ ethos of compassionate care, she is eager to contribute her expertise in complex cases while further developing her skills. As a mother of two, she brings personal insight into perinatal anxiety and foetal health concerns, enriching her empathetic approach.
She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound (University of the West of England) and a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography (University of Leeds). She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and a member of the Society of Radiographers, upholding the highest professional standards.
Jane Chippett
Advanced Practitioner Sonographer
With over 30 years of experience, Jane is a highly qualified Diagnostic Radiographer with expertise in X-ray, CT, MRI, and Medical Ultrasound, specialising in Obstetric and Gynaecological scanning. She has worked in hospitals across Somerset and Bristol, as well as at Somerset Early Scans, where her compassionate approach has supported countless patients.
Beyond clinical work, Jane has taken on roles as a staff trainer, Dementia Champion, and quality assurance lead, demonstrating her dedication to high standards of care and patient support.
Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, walking, cycling, and spending time with her twin granddaughters. She also volunteers with the Somerset library service and participates in local amateur dramatics.
She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (UWE) and a Diploma of the College of Radiographers (St Bartholomew’s, London). She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and is a member of the Society of Radiographers and the British Medical Ultrasound Society.
Bridget Jones
Clinic Assistant
Bridget brings a wealth of healthcare experience to her role at Somerset Early Scans, where her calming presence and compassionate support help women feel reassured during their scans. A former general nurse, she worked in hospitals in Germany and Bath, gaining expertise in operating theatres, elderly care, and palliative care. After retiring in 2010, she continued to care for others, supporting an elderly friend and nursing her mother through dementia.
Since joining Somerset Early Scans three years ago, Bridget has found a renewed sense of purpose, taking pride in being part of a dedicated team that shares her passion for women’s well-being.Married with two children, she holds dear the memory of two babies she lost, shaping her deep empathy for those navigating pregnancy. Outside of work, she enjoys singing with Rock Choir, performing at iconic venues like Hyde Park, and travelling in her caravan, embracing her adventurous spirit.
Rebecca Ward
Clinic Assistant
Rebecca is a dedicated Clinic Assistant at Somerset Early Scans, where her personal experiences and compassionate approach help support women and families during their journeys. As a mother of two, she understands the challenges of pregnancy firsthand and brings empathy and reassurance to every patient she meets.
She considers it a privilege to work alongside a team dedicated to providing vital and reassuring care. Whether offering a listening ear or creating a warm, welcoming environment, Rebecca is committed to ensuring every patient feels valued and supported.
Outside of work, she enjoys walking, swimming, and beach trips, embracing the outdoors as a way to unwind. She also loves catching up with friends over coffee and cake. Rebecca feels grateful to be part of Somerset Early Scans, knowing how impactful and reassuring its services are for women and their families.
Jo Ashman
Clinic Assistant
Jo Ashman is a dedicated Clinic Assistant at Somerset Early Scans, based at Elm Hayes Surgery in Paulton. With a background in customer relations and administration, she applies her strong communication and organisational skills to delivering compassionate patient care.
Passionate about building relationships, Jo understands the importance of open communication and reassurance, especially for parents navigating the joys and anxieties of pregnancy. Drawing from her personal experience with pregnancy loss and infertility, she offers empathy and emotional support to every family she meets.
Married with five children, ranging from teenagers to toddlers, Jo enjoys contributing to local community groups, baking, and making cherished memories with her family and friends