Frequently Asked Questions

Harley Street Ultrasound Group has been providing private diagnostic ultrasound services since 2019 from 99 Harley Street in Marylebone, London. The clinic has built its reputation on a doctor-led scanning model in which consultant radiologists personally perform and report the majority of ultrasound scans, supported by senior NHS-trained sonographers for pregnancy and gynaecological imaging.

The clinic is located at 99 Harley Street, Marylebone, London W1G 6AQ, in the heart of London's medical district. The nearest tube stations are Regent's Park, Bond Street, and Oxford Circus, each within a short walk.

At Harley Street Ultrasound Group, the majority of ultrasound scans are performed and reported by consultant radiologists, who are doctors specialised in diagnostic imaging. Pregnancy and transvaginal ultrasound scans are performed and reported by senior sonographers with at least 10 years of NHS experience, with consultant radiologist input available whenever escalation is needed.

Yes. For doctor-performed scans at Harley Street Ultrasound Group, the consultant radiologist explains the findings to you live as the scan is being performed, walking through what is being seen on the screen and what it means in plain language. A written report is then issued the same day through the secure online Health Portal.

For most scans at Harley Street Ultrasound Group, the consultant radiologist who performs your scan is the same doctor who writes the formal report, so your imaging is interpreted by the specialist who handled the probe. For pregnancy and transvaginal scans, the senior sonographer who performs the scan also writes the report and escalates to a consultant radiologist if any concern is identified.

Yes. The consultant radiologists at Harley Street Ultrasound Group are registered with the General Medical Council and the Royal College of Radiologists. The sonographers are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and bring at least 10 years of NHS experience from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust.

Yes. The consultant radiologists at Harley Street Ultrasound Group hold substantive NHS consultant posts at major London teaching hospitals, including Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), Barts Health NHS Trust, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This means your scan is performed by a doctor who is active in NHS consultant practice at the same hospitals to which complex cases are referred for specialist opinion.

A sonographer is a healthcare professional specifically trained to perform ultrasound scans and produce reports within their scope of practice. A radiologist is a doctor specialised in performing and interpreting medical imaging across multiple modalities. At Harley Street Ultrasound Group, consultant radiologists personally perform most scans, while senior sonographers handle pregnancy and gynaecological imaging.

Yes. Harley Street Ultrasound Group is radiologist-founded and clinically led, meaning strategic and quality decisions are made by a consultant radiologist rather than a non-clinical operator. This is reflected in the doctor-led scanning model used across the majority of the clinic's ultrasound services.

You can book any diagnostic ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group online through our website in under a minute, with instant confirmation. For ultrasound-guided procedures, or if you would like a female doctor or sonographer, please call the clinic so we can place you in the correct clinic slot.

No. All diagnostic ultrasound scans at Harley Street Ultrasound Group are available on a self-referral basis, so a GP referral is not required to book. Ultrasound-guided procedures such as biopsies and steroid injections require a brief clinical assessment first to confirm that the procedure is appropriate and safe.

Yes. Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers same-day ultrasound appointments at 99 Harley Street, particularly when patients enquire in the morning. Afternoon availability is also typical but can fill up, so morning enquiries are most reliable for same-day slots.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group is open across weekdays and Saturdays, with extended hours to accommodate working patients. Live availability is reflected in real time on the online booking system, including evening and weekend slots.

Yes. You are welcome to bring a companion to your appointment at Harley Street Ultrasound Group. For intimate scans, a clinic staff member will also be present as a professional chaperone, in line with UK regulatory standards.

Yes. Appointments at Harley Street Ultrasound Group can be rescheduled or cancelled by contacting the clinic directly. We ask that you give as much notice as possible so that the slot can be offered to another patient.

We recommend arriving 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment at 99 Harley Street to complete any final paperwork. If you are claiming through insurance, please bring your membership number and pre-authorisation code with you.

Yes. Harley Street Ultrasound Group regularly sees international patients visiting London and arranges scans, reports, and onward imaging within tight time windows. Reports are issued in English and provided in formats accepted by hospitals and insurers worldwide.

Prices for ultrasound scans at Harley Street Ultrasound Group are listed transparently on each individual service page on our website, with a consolidated price list also available. Costs vary by scan type and most diagnostic ultrasounds are either self-pay or covered by major UK private medical insurers.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group accepts major UK private medical insurers including BUPA, BUPA Global, Cigna, Healix, WPA, Allianz, and Vitality. Patients should obtain pre-authorisation from their insurer before the appointment.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group is not currently a direct provider for AXA or Aviva. Patients with these insurers can attend on a self-pay basis and then claim reimbursement directly, provided they have confirmed eligibility with their insurer in advance.

You will typically need your membership or policy number and a pre-authorisation code from your insurer. For some scans a specific procedure code is also required, for example IM270 for an abdominal ultrasound, which your insurer can confirm at the point of authorisation.

Yes. At the checkout of our online booking system we offer payments through Klarna. This allows you to split your scan cost across multiple payment installments. If you have any questions regarding this please contact our team and we will be happy to help.

No. Diagnostic healthcare services in the UK are exempt from VAT, so ultrasound scans and consultations at Harley Street Ultrasound Group are not subject to VAT on your invoice.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group accepts all major debit and credit cards. Payment is taken securely at the clinic on the day of your appointment.

You should fast for 4 to 6 hours before an abdominal, liver, or gallbladder ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group, drinking only plain water during that time. Fasting is not required for kidney, bladder, pelvic, thyroid, soft tissue, vascular, or musculoskeletal scans.

For transabdominal pelvic and bladder ultrasound scans you should drink around one litre of water 60 to 90 minutes before your appointment and avoid emptying your bladder. A full bladder pushes overlying bowel out of the way and provides a clear acoustic window to the pelvic organs.

Yes. You can continue all of your prescribed medications as normal before any ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group. If you are unsure about a specific medication, please contact the clinic before your appointment.

Yes. Normal exercise the day before or on the day of an ultrasound does not affect image quality or results. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area being scanned.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being scanned, for example a two-piece outfit for an abdominal or pelvic scan. The clinic provides changing space and gowns where required.

Diagnostic ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group is a painless and non-invasive procedure that uses a small handheld probe and a layer of warmed gel. Some pressure may be applied over a painful area to assess it, but this is brief and well tolerated.

An abdominal ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group assesses the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and abdominal aorta in a single appointment. It is commonly used to investigate abdominal pain, abnormal blood tests, jaundice, gallstones, fatty liver, or abdominal masses.

A liver and gallbladder ultrasound shows the size and texture of the liver, the presence of fatty change, gallstones, gallbladder wall thickening, bile duct dilation, and focal liver lesions. At Harley Street Ultrasound Group, the scan is performed and reported by a consultant radiologist, with onward MRI arranged where indicated.

A renal ultrasound assesses the size and structure of both kidneys and looks for cysts, stones, hydronephrosis, and masses, along with an assessment of the bladder. It is commonly used to investigate flank pain, urinary symptoms, blood in the urine, or abnormal kidney function tests.

A thyroid ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group evaluates the size and structure of the thyroid gland, characterises any nodules, and assesses the surrounding lymph nodes. It is the first-line investigation for a palpable neck lump, an abnormal thyroid function test, or follow-up of a known nodule.

A testicular ultrasound, also called a scrotal ultrasound, assesses the testes, epididymis, and surrounding structures for lumps, cysts, varicoceles, hydroceles, and pain. It is the gold-standard investigation for any new scrotal lump or unexplained testicular discomfort.

Yes. Ultrasound is one of the best tests for diagnosing inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias because it allows real-time imaging while the patient strains or coughs. Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers dedicated dynamic hernia ultrasound scans performed by experienced sonographers.

Yes. A soft tissue ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group can characterise the size, depth, vascularity, and likely nature of a lump, helping to distinguish between common entities such as lipomas, cysts, ganglia, and suspicious soft tissue lesions. It is often the first-line investigation before any decision about excision or biopsy.

A Doppler ultrasound assesses blood flow within arteries and veins and is used to investigate suspected deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, carotid artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers a full range of vascular ultrasound studies on site.

A musculoskeletal ultrasound assesses muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bursae, and peripheral nerves in real time, including during movement. It is particularly valuable for shoulder pain, tennis and golfer's elbow, Achilles and patellar tendon problems, and small joint assessment.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to image soft tissues in real time, MRI uses powerful magnets to produce detailed cross-sectional images, and CT uses X-rays to build three-dimensional reconstructions. Harley Street Ultrasound Group specialises in ultrasound and arranges MRI and CT through trusted partner imaging centres where these are clinically indicated.

Pregnancy and transvaginal ultrasound scans at Harley Street Ultrasound Group are performed and reported by senior sonographers with at least 10 years of NHS experience drawn from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust. They have direct access to the clinic's consultant radiologists for second opinion or escalation when needed.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers early pregnancy and viability scans from 6 weeks of gestation. These scans confirm the location of the pregnancy, the number of embryos, and the presence of a fetal heartbeat.

Yes. Diagnostic ultrasound has been used safely in pregnancy for over 50 years and is considered safe at all stages when performed by trained professionals on appropriate medical equipment. All pregnancy scans at Harley Street Ultrasound Group are performed by senior sonographers with at least 10 years of NHS experience from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust, on modern equipment with regulated output settings.

Reliable gender determination by ultrasound is typically possible from 16 weeks of gestation onwards, with most parents choosing a dedicated gender scan between 16 and 20 weeks. Harley Street Ultrasound Group also offers non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) from 10 weeks, which can determine fetal sex from a maternal blood sample.

The mid-pregnancy anomaly scan is performed between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation and is the most detailed structural assessment of the baby during pregnancy. Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers anomaly scans performed in line with Fetal Medicine Foundation guidance.

Yes. Our state-of-the-art ultrasound machines are capable of 3D and 4D imaging, offered as part of relevant pregnancy packages and used clinically where appropriate. The clearest 3D and 4D images are typically obtained between 26 and 32 weeks of gestation.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a maternal blood test performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy that screens for chromosomal conditions such as Down, Edwards, and Patau syndromes, and can also determine fetal sex. Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers NIPT alongside a viability ultrasound to confirm a healthy ongoing pregnancy.

Yes. Reassurance scans are available at Harley Street Ultrasound Group throughout pregnancy for women who would like to check on their baby's wellbeing outside of routine NHS appointments. They are commonly booked after a previous pregnancy loss or simply for additional peace of mind.

The Complete Breast Assessment at Harley Street Ultrasound Group combines a clinical examination by a consultant breast specialist with a same-visit breast ultrasound. This integrated pathway gives most patients an immediate clinical opinion and imaging result in a single appointment.

Breast ultrasound is generally the first-line imaging investigation for women under 40 and for any new palpable lump, while mammography is used for screening and assessment in women over 40. At Harley Street Ultrasound Group, the specialist team will advise on the most appropriate test based on age, symptoms, and family history.

A pelvic ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group assesses the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding structures, and can be performed transabdominally with a full bladder, transvaginally for higher-resolution detail, or both. The transvaginal approach is offered with full consent and a chaperone present.

Yes. A female sonographer and a female reporting doctor can be arranged for women's health scans, intimate scans, or any scan where this is preferred. Please call the clinic at the time of booking so we can place you in a clinic slot with the appropriate team on duty.

Yes. Harley Street Ultrasound Group performs paediatric ultrasound for patients under 16, including abdominal, pelvic, renal, testicular, neck and thyroid, soft tissue, and lumps and bumps scans. Scans are performed by sonographers experienced in paediatric imaging.

Yes. A parent or legal guardian must accompany any patient under 16 to their appointment at Harley Street Ultrasound Group and is welcome to remain in the examination room throughout the scan.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group can perform ultrasound from infancy onwards, including paediatric abdominal, renal, and soft tissue scans. For specialist neonatal studies such as hip ultrasound for developmental dysplasia, please call the clinic to confirm availability and appropriate booking.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers a range of ultrasound-guided procedures including soft tissue and breast biopsies, joint and tendon steroid injections, and aspiration of cysts and effusions. All guided procedures are performed by consultant radiologists.

Ultrasound-guided procedures at Harley Street Ultrasound Group require a brief clinical assessment first to confirm that the procedure is appropriate and safe for you. Please call the clinic to arrange a review of any prior imaging or referral letter before your procedure is booked.

An ultrasound-guided steroid or local anaesthetic injection causes minimal discomfort because the precise needle position can be seen and adjusted in real time. Most patients describe it as similar to a routine blood test and many report immediate symptom relief from the local anaesthetic component.

Most ultrasound reports at Harley Street Ultrasound Group are issued the same day, because the reporting clinician is the same person who performs the scan. Reports and images are delivered through a secure online Health Portal, accessed using a code sent to you by SMS.

Yes. With your consent, Harley Street Ultrasound Group can email your report and images directly to your GP or specialist, or arrange a secure transfer to a hospital radiology department. You can also download and share your own DICOM images from the Health Portal.

DICOM is the international standard format used worldwide for medical imaging files. All images from Harley Street Ultrasound Group are provided in DICOM format so they can be opened and reviewed by any other clinician or hospital system without quality loss.

If a scan at Harley Street Ultrasound Group identifies a significant finding, the reporting radiologist will flag it for urgent follow-up and the clinic team will help you arrange the appropriate next step. This may include further imaging, a specialist consultation, or onward referral to your GP or insurance-funded consultant.

Yes. Harley Street Ultrasound Group can provide a formal second-opinion report on ultrasound, CT, or MRI studies performed at other clinics or hospitals, with images uploaded for review by a consultant radiologist. Please contact the clinic to arrange a second-opinion report.

Yes. Reports from Harley Street Ultrasound Group are written either by consultant radiologists registered with the Royal College of Radiologists, or by senior HCPC-registered sonographers in the case of pregnancy and gynaecological scans. They are routinely accepted by NHS hospitals, GPs, and consultants, and the accompanying DICOM images can be transferred directly into NHS radiology systems on request.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group retains patient records and imaging in line with UK Department of Health retention guidance and General Medical Council requirements. You can request access to your records at any time through the Health Portal or by contacting the clinic directly.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group specialises in diagnostic ultrasound on site, and MRI and CT studies are arranged through trusted partner imaging centres in central London. All MRI and CT studies are reported by our consultant radiology team for continuity of care.

Yes. If a scan at Harley Street Ultrasound Group suggests further imaging would be helpful, the radiology team can arrange an MRI or CT at a partner imaging centre, with the report integrated back into your record. This avoids starting the diagnostic process again from scratch elsewhere.

Yes. Harley Street Ultrasound Group accepts external imaging on disc, USB, or via secure upload for second-opinion review or for review alongside a current scan. A consultant radiologist will provide a formal written second-opinion report.

Private ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound Group offers same-day or next-day appointments, longer scan slots, and reports issued the same day in most cases. This is particularly valued by patients who need a fast answer to a worrying symptom or who want continuity of care for an ongoing condition.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group is a radiologist-founded private ultrasound clinic at 99 Harley Street where active NHS consultant radiologists personally perform and report the majority of scans, explaining findings to patients live as the scan is being done. The clinical team holds substantive NHS consultant posts at major London teaching hospitals including Imperial College Healthcare, UCLH, Barts Health, King's College Hospital, and St George's. Pregnancy and gynaecological scans are performed by senior NHS-trained sonographers, with same-day appointments and onward MRI and CT through trusted partner centres routinely available.

For many conditions, including gallstones, thyroid nodules, hernias, soft tissue lumps, and musculoskeletal injuries, ultrasound is at least as accurate as MRI or CT and is often the first-line investigation recommended by international guidelines. The radiology team at Harley Street Ultrasound Group will arrange further imaging where this adds value rather than as a routine default.

Most patients can be seen at Harley Street Ultrasound Group on the same day as enquiry when booking in the morning, with the report issued the same day. This is significantly faster than the typical NHS pathway for non-urgent diagnostic ultrasound.

99 Harley Street is a listed building with a small period lift that may not accommodate every wheelchair. If you have mobility needs, please contact Harley Street Ultrasound Group in advance so we can discuss the best way to support your visit or arrange an alternative.

Yes. A trained clinic staff member is always present as a chaperone during intimate ultrasound scans at Harley Street Ultrasound Group, in line with General Medical Council and Royal College of Radiologists guidance. You are also welcome to bring your own companion in addition to the clinical chaperone.

Yes. A female sonographer and a female reporting doctor can be arranged for any scan at Harley Street Ultrasound Group, on any weekday or Saturday, on request. Please call the clinic when booking so we can place you in a clinic slot with the appropriate team on duty rather than booking online.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group handles all personal and medical data in compliance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Patient images and reports are stored on encrypted servers, and access is restricted to authorised clinical and administrative staff.

Where possible, we ask that children are not brought unattended to ultrasound appointments, particularly for scans of intimate areas or for procedures. If you do need to bring a child, please let the clinic know in advance so we can accommodate the visit appropriately.

Harley Street Ultrasound Group operates from a dedicated clinic at 99 Harley Street with a private reception and a small, low-volume waiting area. All consultations and scans take place in private examination rooms.