The U.K. Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) has published a reminder that anyone who performs an ultrasound scan on a human body must register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent agency that regulates health and social services in England.
This includes companies who provide 3D/4D fetal ultrasound examinations for the sole purpose of selling keepsake videos and photos of fetuses as mementos of a pregnancy.
Specifically, the legal entity that is selling the service, whether an individual or a company, must register with the CQC. Individuals who perform the ultrasound examinations and are employed by the legal entity are not required to do so. This requirement includes all companies that operate in the U.K.; foreign-owned businesses are not exempt.
The SCoR also reminded its members that if they perform ultrasound exams of pregnant women for nonclinical purposes, such activity would be operating outside of the society's code of conduct and ethics as well as its professional indemnity insurance requirements.
