Ultrasound is performed at all our sites. If you are referred for an ultrasound scan, you will be offered an appointment based on the earliest availability for the type of scan you require. Please note, some invasive ultrasound procedures (biopsies and injections etc) are only performed at specific sites. For vascular ultrasound (blood vessels) please see our vascular ultrasound page. 

Ultrasound is a safe imaging modality which does not use any radiation. Instead, high frequency sound waves pass through the body and bounce back from the internal structures. A radiologist or sonographer (a person specially trained in ultrasound) then applies the required amount of ultrasound gel to a hand-held probe which is then moved across the target site on the body, emitting and receiving the sound waves simultaneously. The data from the sound waves is sent to a computer which generates real-time images from the data. 

Obstetric imaging uses ultrasound to monitor the health and development of both the foetus and the mother during pregnancy. This scan will be part of the standard examinations during pre-natal and post-natal stages of pregnancy. It can help with assessing the health, position of the foetus and can also help with identifying the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby and detecting any abnormalities.   

Please wear comfortable clothing for your scan.

Some scans do not require any preparation, whereas some require a full bladder, or for you to starve prior to the scan. You should follow the specific instructions that are on your letter. If you have not received a letter and are unsure what preparation you need for your scan, please contact us. 

You will be asked to remove your clothes covering the area to be examined, and to lie on the examination couch.

The radiologist or sonographer performing your ultrasound scan will apply water based clear gel to the skin in the area being examined and will slowly move the probe over the area while viewing the images on the monitor. The lights in the room will be dimmed so that the pictures on the screen can be seen more clearly, and records of selected images will be made so that they can be viewed later. 

Once the examination is over, the gel will be wiped off and you will be free to dress. The ultrasound cannot be felt, but the radiologist / sonographer may need to press down on the probe to get a good view and for some people this may be uncomfortable. If you do feel uncomfortable during your scan, please inform the radiologist / sonographer so that suitable adjustments can be made. 

Please refer to your appointment letter for more specific information. Please note that the examination could be performed by either a male or a female radiologist / sonographer. 

Ultrasound is a very safe procedure for all patients undergoing a diagnostic test. This type of scan is not associated or known to have any side effects.

After your scan you will be free to resume your normal daily activities. Please refer to your specific appointment letter for further information. 

The results of your scan may or may not be given to you immediately after the scan. Sometimes the images need to be interpreted by a radiologist (a doctor specialising in medical imaging) and then sent back to the consultant or GP who referred you for the scan. 

Ultrasound scan (standard) - For musculoskeletal, soft tissue ultrasound, and ultrasound scans of the groin, thyroid, salivary glands, anterior abdominal wall or testes. 

Ultrasound Abdomen – Standard 

Ultrasound Abdomen – 4 Hour Fast 

HyCoSy Ultrasound Scan 

Ultrasound Guided Aspiration 

Ultrasound Guided FNA 

Ultrasound Guided Injection 

Please note, not all of our procedural letters are listed here. If you are unsure which procedure letter you need to follow, and you did not receive an appointment letter, please contact the radiology bookings team. 

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