Ultrasound Diagnostics Services in Reigate
Ultrasound enables your doctor to diagnose and treat certain medical conditions more easily. It is non invasive and provides either still pictures or video imaging which gives the clinician far more information than they can see with the naked eye or from an examination.
You do not need to have a referral from your GP though your GP practice can refer you to our Private Ultrasound Clinic
Mrs Gurjit Rai-Tidbury MSc, DMU, DCR
Consultant Sonographer. Registered with HCPC [RA27363] , BMUS, SOR and IPEM.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound emits a high frequency sound that can be detected by special scanners.
In simple terms ultrasound waves are pointed at a part of your body using a transducer, a small handheld sensor. When this is moved over the surface of your skin it generates sound waves. An echo is produced when these sound waves hit an object within your body. These sound waves can be converted into an image to enable your doctor to see what is happening inside your body.
Ultrasound images allow us to see blood flowing through the body as well as the structure of the body’s internal organs and any movement as they are taken in real time. These images help specially trained clinicians understand what is happening in your body to make a more accurate diagnosis.
What does an ultrasound scan involve?
When you have an ultrasound you will be asked to lie on a couch while an operator moves the transducer over your skin on the part of your body to be examined. Lubricating jelly helps the transducer makes good contact with your body which enables the effective transmission of the ultrasound waves into the body.
The ultrasound does not cause any pain and typically takes around 15 – 20 minutes, although this can vary depending the area of your body being examined. A computer stores a video or still photographs to enable the clinician to make a diagnosis.
What does the ultrasound scanner look like?
Ultrasound scanners consist of a small handheld transducer, which is used to scan the body, attached to a computer with a video display.
Who performs and interprets the results?
A radiologist or sonographer who has been trained to interpret ultrasound scans will interpret the results of your ultrasound scan.
A sonographer, a radiographer specifically trained in ultrasound scanning and interpretation of the results.
What is an ultrasound test used for?
Ultrasound is a useful test for many clinical purposes.
It can:
- Help to diagnose problems of the liver, gallbladder (such as gallstones), pancreas, thyroid gland, lymph nodes, ovaries, testes, kidneys, abdominal hernias, bladder and breast. For example, it can help to determine if an abnormal lump in one of these organs is a solid lesion or a fluid-filled cyst.
- Produce a clearer picture from a probe that is within the body – an internal scan. A small transducer, still attached by a cable to the ultrasound machine is placed in the vagina or rectum to get clearer images of the pelvic and reproductive organs.
- Detect abnormal widening of blood vessels (aneurysms) or look for deep vein thrombosis (clots) in the upper and lower limbs.
- Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood velocity as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound to look at tendons, all muscle groups, hernias, neuromas, ganglia and lumps & bumps.
- Pregnancy, to assess and monitor a baby’s wellbeing and growth.
When will I get my results?
Self-referral: If you have referred yourself for an ultrasound we will send you a written report within 48 hours. Your doctor will discuss the findings of the scam with you at the end of your appointment.
Booking an ultrasound scan
You can either self-refer for most ultrasound scans or you can be referred by your NHS GP to our private ultrasound clinic.
| Scan Prices | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic Scan | £150 |
| Early Pregnancy Scan | £150 |
| Baby Gender Reveal Scan | £99 |
| Chronic Pelvic Pain Scan – Referral Required | £450 |
| Ultrasound Guided Injection | £300 |
Preparing for an ultrasound scan
Before having some types of ultrasound scan, you may be asked to follow certain instructions to help improve the quality of the images produced.
For example, you may be advised to:
- drink water and not go to the toilet until after the scan – this may be needed before a scan of your unborn baby or your pelvic area
- avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the scan – this may be needed before a scan of your digestive system, including the liver and gallbladder
Depending on the area of your body being examined, we may ask you to remove some clothing and wear a hospital gown.
Please see preparation guide below:
| TYPE OF SCAN | PATIENT PREPARATION | |
| Upper Abdomen | Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to scan aside from sips of still water. | |
| Renal only | Drink 1 litre of water 1 hour prior to the scan. Do not empty your bladder. | |
| Female Pelvis – Gynaecology only | No preparation. Please be advised this will be an internal scan.
Contraindications: if not sexually active or do not use tampons, please fill your bladder |
|
| Transabdominal Pelvis | Drink 1 litre of water 1 hour prior to the scan and do not empty your bladder. | |
| Testes | No preparation. | |
| Thyroid | No preparation. | |
| Lumps & Bumps | No preparation. | |
| Musculoskeletal/MSK Injection
[please specify area to be assessed]: Shoulder | Elbow | Wrist | Hand | Hip | Knee | Ankle | Foot/Feet |
No preparation. | |
| Paediatric Pelvis, Renal & Abdomen
(6 to 16 years) |
Three to four medium size glasses of juice or water 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to scan. Do not empty your bladder. | |
| Vascular – Carotid/DVT… | No preparation | |
| Early pregnancy scan – 5 weeks plus | Drink 1 litre of water 1 hour prior to the scan and do not empty your bladder. If clinically indicated an internal scan may be necessary. | |
| TVS for pelvic congestion / chronic pelvic pain | No preparation required. Please be advised this is an internal examination | |
Clinic Location
Rapid access, convenient and quick appointments.
Private GP Clinic – Opening in April 2023
Stanton House (on one-way to Reigate Centre)
1 Castlefield Road
Reigate
Surrey RH2 0SA
01737 238688
Our Private Ultrasound Diagnostic Services help patients right across Surrey. From Guildford and Dorking in the West to Redhill and Gatwick all from our consulting rooms in Reigate. We have helped hundreds of patients with our private GP services across Surrey. If you need to see a GP quickly, call us on 01737 238688 and we will be able to arrange an appointment.
