The document ‘NHS obstetric ultrasound examinations: guidance on sale of images, fetal sexing, commercial considerations and requests to record’ previously published in January 2019, was withdrawn pending review in February 2021.
The revised version has been co-written with input from the CoR Patient Advisory Group, the advocacy group Antenatal Results and Choices and the Ultrasound Advisory Group.
Changes include explanation of the unique nature of obstetric ultrasound, the differences between the NHS screening clinical examinations and private parent experience scans. Suggested wording in relation to consent and explanations about the possibility of having a picture and an opinion on the fetal sex have been added.
Case studies have been included to demonstrate how some services have managed communication to provide additional support and reference has been made to the recent sonographer survey by the SoR. Terminology has been clarified and more inclusive language used throughout.
The SoR continues to work with external organisations to explain the difference between various types of ultrasound examinations and help pregnant women and pregnant people to make informed decisions about their care, for example a recent article in Which? online.