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Imaging · London

Ultrasound scan in London, in experienced hands.

Quick, radiation-free and often the sensible first test. Ultrasound depends enormously on who is holding the probe - so we route you to accredited sonographers and radiologists, and often get you findings on the day.

A clinician preparing a patient for a scan in a private London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What a private ultrasound costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£200-£400, with findings often the same day.

Scan type Indicative range
Single-area ultrasound £200–£400
Abdominal ultrasound £250–£450
Pelvic ultrasound £250–£450
Musculoskeletal / soft tissue £250–£450
Doppler / vascular study £300–£550
Ultrasound-guided injection £350–£650

Prices vary by clinic, time of day, the number of areas scanned, and whether Doppler or a guided procedure is added.

The problem

Ultrasound is only as good as the person doing it.

The same machine in different hands gives very different answers. Ultrasound is real-time and operator-dependent, so who scans you matters more than the equipment. We choose the operator, not just the clinic.

  • Want it done quickly?

    Ultrasound is fast, and findings can often be discussed on the day.

  • Worried about who scans you?

    We route you to accredited sonographers and consultant radiologists.

What it shows

Find the scan that matches the symptom.

Ultrasound answers a wide range of questions quickly and safely.

  • Gallbladder, liver & kidneys

    The first-line test for gallstones, liver texture and kidney problems.

  • Pelvic & gynaecological

    Assesses the uterus and ovaries for cysts, fibroids and pelvic pain.

  • Thyroid & neck lumps

    The best first look at thyroid nodules and lumps in the neck.

  • Lumps & soft tissue

    Characterises a lump you can feel - cyst, lipoma or something needing more.

  • Veins & arteries (Doppler)

    Checks blood flow for clots (DVT), varicose veins and narrowing.

  • Breast lumps

    Often the first test for a breast lump, especially in younger women.

  • Guided injections & biopsies

    Real-time imaging lets a needle be placed precisely and safely.

  • Muscles, tendons & joints

    Shows tendons moving in real time - something a static scan cannot.

Ultrasound types

Not all ultrasound scans are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Abdominal ultrasound

    Liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas and spleen - the classic first-line scan.

  • Pelvic ultrasound

    Uterus, ovaries and bladder, transabdominal or transvaginal as needed.

  • Thyroid & neck

    Detailed assessment of thyroid nodules and neck lumps.

  • Musculoskeletal

    Tendons, muscles and joints - imaged moving, in real time.

  • Doppler & vascular

    Blood-flow studies for DVT, varicose veins and arterial narrowing.

  • Breast ultrasound

    Often the first test for a lump, particularly in younger women.

  • Guided procedures

    Ultrasound-guided injections, aspirations and biopsies.

  • Scrotal & testicular

    A quick, definitive look at lumps, pain and swelling.

Safety and eligibility

One of the safest tests in medicine.

Ultrasound is exceptionally safe - the practical points are preparation, and occasionally when another test would see more.

  • No radiation at all

    Ultrasound uses sound waves. There is no ionising radiation, which is why it is safe in pregnancy and for repeat scans.

  • Operator skill matters

    Ultrasound is only as good as the person holding the probe. We route you to experienced hands.

  • Fasting for abdominal scans

    Gallbladder and abdominal scans usually need 6 hours without food. We tell you exactly what to do.

  • A full bladder for pelvic

    Some pelvic scans need a full bladder.

  • Transvaginal scans

    Sometimes needed for a clearer pelvic view. It is your choice, and a chaperone is always available.

  • Body habitus

    Sound waves travel less well through deeper tissue, so image quality can vary. We will say if another test is better.

  • Bowel gas

    Gas can obscure parts of the abdomen. Occasionally a repeat or a different test is needed.

  • Pregnancy

    Entirely safe - ultrasound is the standard imaging test in pregnancy.

  • Chaperones

    Available for any scan, always, and offered as standard for intimate examinations.

Reading your report

An ultrasound report can look intimidating. It isn't.

Whatever area is scanned, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A consultant radiologist reviewing ultrasound images on a clinical workstation at a UK private clinic

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your doctor, not for you - and that is normal.

If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the question

    Your details, the area scanned, and the clinical question behind the referral.

  2. 02 Technique

    How the scan was performed

    Which areas were examined and by what approach - for example transabdominal or transvaginal, with or without Doppler.

  3. 03 Findings

    What the sonographer saw

    A structured description of each structure examined, including measurements and any incidental findings.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    The conclusion in brief - read this first. Your specialist discusses it in context.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about ultrasound.

Quick answers on cost, referrals, preparation, safety and results.

  • When should I have an ultrasound instead of an MRI or CT?

    Ultrasound is the first-line test for gallstones, liver and kidney problems, thyroid and neck lumps, pelvic and gynaecological questions, breast lumps in younger women, blood flow, and tendons in real time - no radiation, no contrast. In London we can usually scan you within 24–72 hours privately and hand you the consultant radiologist report the same day.

  • Is an ultrasound safe?

    Completely. It uses sound waves rather than radiation, which is why it is the standard scan in pregnancy and can be repeated as often as needed.

  • Do I need to prepare?

    It depends on the area. Abdominal scans usually need about 6 hours without food; some pelvic scans need a full bladder.

  • Will I get the results on the day?

    Often yes - the person scanning can frequently give you an immediate impression, with the formal written report following within 48 hours.

  • Do I need a referral?

    Most ultrasound scans accept self-referral.

  • Does the machine matter, or the operator?

    Both, but the operator matters more. Ultrasound is highly operator-dependent, so we route you to experienced accredited sonographers and radiologists.

  • What is a transvaginal scan and do I have to have one?

    It gives a much clearer view of the uterus and ovaries using a slim internal probe. It is always your choice, a chaperone is available, and we will discuss it beforehand.

  • Should I have an ultrasound or an MRI?

    Ultrasound is quick, radiation-free and often the sensible first test. MRI gives more detail for deeper structures, joints and the pelvis.

  • Will my insurance cover it?

    Most policies cover ultrasound when clinically indicated and pre-authorised.

Related tests

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

Getting ultrasound sorted in London, without the guesswork

With ultrasound, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. The wait for ultrasound on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.

In practice, a private ultrasound appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Most of the imaging suites and endoscopy units we use sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For ultrasound specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.