Private Abdomen | Liver | Gallbladder & Gallstones | Kidneys | Spleen | Ultrasound Scan| The Scan Clinic London & Essex

We pride ourselves on providing the best quality service we can which is why we are trusted by GP's, doctors, physiotherapists, midwives and many other healthcare professionals.

Our mission of better quality healthcare for everyone sets us apart from the vast majority of other clinics and is the main reason why we are amongst the few diagnostic clinics to not only be approved by but also provide services to the NHS and thus the general public. This also means that unlike many other clinics we have additional strict quality control measures which we must adhere to meaning you are in safe hands with us and our team.

Who will I see?

You will be seen by a healthcare professional who specialises in clinical medical ultrasound. Unlike other diagnostic tests which produce results for analysis, ultrasound imaging is "real- time" therefore the quality of the scan being performed is the basis of the information you take away and heavily depends upon the expertise, experience and skill of the healthcare professional scanning you. This is an important point which is often overlooked by many people when deciding where to go, therefore you can be reassured that at The Scan Clinic you will always be seen by an expert who has vast expertise and experience in the field of medical ultrasound.

What does the scan involve?

During the scan, you will be asked to uncover your abdominal area and a small amount of jelly will be placed over your skin. An ultrasound camera will then be placed on top and moved along your abdomen. This will result in a picture appearing on the ultrasound monitor and patient TV which will be translated by a medical ultrasound practitioner. The examination itself usually lasts around 10-15 minutes and is pain-free. At the end of the examination, a brief explanation of the results may be offered. A formal ultrasound scan report with any recommendations will be sent to you which you can take to your regular healthcare professional.

How do I prepare for this scan?

You will need to have been fasting from food for at least 6 hours before having this scan, however, you may drink clear fluids such as water.
If you are diabetic, then maintain your normal food intake but try your best to avoid fatty or dairy products for at least 6 hours before having the scan.
You may also maintain your normal medication

Ultrasound: Background

An ultrasound scan is a painless test that provides images of the inside of the body by using high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves are at a frequency which cannot be heard by the human ear but when they bounce off different parts of the body, create echoes that are picked up by the probe and turned into a moving image.

Unlike other scans such as MRI and CT, ultrasound does not involve radiation and is in real-time i.e. live imaging and is not static i.e. still pictures. This live information is interpreted and is used as the basis of the subsequent diagnostic report.

Many kinds of ultrasound scans can be performed as ultrasound has numerous applications in healthcare and are ultimately beneficial to us if used in the right context by a competent body or person. However, as with any test, ultrasound scans have limitations some of which are generic to all scans such as not being able to visualise bone clearly or scan specific and therefore may not be suitable in certain situations and like any test cannot diagnose every problem.

For further information about ultrasound please click here.

Abdomen Scan: Background

The abdomen is commonly a source of many problems, some of which can be detected by a simple abdominal ultrasound scan. Many problems such as gallstones, kidney stones, cysts can be detected during this scan. This scan is often requested by physicians at the early stages following a complaint or abnormal test results such as a blood test and can provide valuable & vital information. Often time is of the essence in many health conditions and seeking early medical advice & services may allow for better outcomes.

Many of our clients choose to book an ultrasound scan with us after having been referred for an abdominal scan in the NHS by their GP however are unwilling to wait for a scan appointment within the NHS, which can be many weeks. Going privately bypasses this allowing quicker & more convenient appointments & faster results.

We offer flexible & convenient appointments suited around you and your life with clinics running during the day, evening and weekends.

Please note

We will require details of your GP / Health Care Professional, which may be requested before or at the time of the scan.
This scan requires access to the area of interest; therefore, it is recommended to wear loose clothing to facilitate this process.
Study images may be available at an additional charge - more information and to request this can be found by clicking here.
Off-Peak discount is only available for appointments during off-peak clinic times which can be found here.
All our first line ultrasound scans are optional. You must be at least 16 years old and you should have no existing medical condition or treatment pending that relates to the scan you are booking. If you are in any doubt about having any type of scan, you should consult your GP.