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Concierge private imaging · UK

Private ultrasound - same-day scan and report.

No radiation, no contrast, same-day scan and report. A consultant radiologist or lead sonographer scans and reports in one sitting.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Why patients choose us

  • 01

    A subspecialty consultant radiologist’s report

    Body, MSK, neuro or uroradiology consultants read the scan that fits - not a generalist working through a list.

  • 02

    Booked in days, not weeks

    Weekday, evening and weekend slots across London and the major UK cities.

  • 03

    Independent, and free

    We take no fee from clinics, so the recommendation - including "don’t bother" - is impartial and costs you nothing.

Indicative pricing

What a private ultrasound costs in the UK, by body part.

Indicative ranges across our partner imaging units. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options, with cover checked.

In short

Single-area ultrasound in our network: £200–£500, report typically same day.

Procedure Indicative range
Abdominal ultrasound £220–£400
Pelvic ultrasound (transabdominal) £200–£350
Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound £250–£450
Thyroid ultrasound £220–£350
Testicular ultrasound £220–£400
Breast ultrasound £250–£450
MSK / soft-tissue ultrasound £250–£500

Prices vary by body part and whether transvaginal, transrectal or contrast-enhanced ultrasound is used.

The problem

Ultrasound is quick, cheap and radiation-free - use it first where it fits.

Ultrasound is operator-dependent. A good sonographer or consultant radiologist beats a mediocre one, and a proper report matters as much as the scan.

  • Fast and low-friction

    Most scans take 15–30 minutes with a written report the same day.

  • Not always the answer

    Bowel gas obscures much of the abdomen; obesity limits depth. CT or MRI often needed next.

  • Operator-dependent

    A scan is only as good as the person holding the probe. We use consultants and lead sonographers only.

The journey

From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.

One team from first message through operation, histology and follow-up.

  1. 01

    Before

    Tell us what to scan

    Body part, symptoms, prior imaging, referrer.

  2. 02

    Before

    Same-week booking

    Options across London and major UK cities, evenings and weekends.

  3. 03

    Before

    Preparation notes

    Fasting or bladder-full instructions in writing.

  4. 04

    On the day

    The scan

    15–30 minutes with a handheld probe. Warm gel; painless.

  5. 05

    On the day

    Verbal impression

    Sonographer or radiologist gives an initial impression at the end.

  6. 06

    After

    Written report same day

    Formal written report the same day or within 24 hours.

  7. 07

    After

    Onward referral

    If a finding needs a specialist, we make the introduction within 48 hours.

Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to reported scan.

When it helps

When a private ultrasound is the right step.

Situations where ultrasound is the correct first look - plus the red flag that means A&E.

  • Abdominal pain and gallstones

    Right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, dyspepsia - first-line ultrasound.

  • Pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding

    Fibroids, cysts, adenomyosis - transvaginal is the workhorse.

  • Thyroid nodules

    Guides U-classification and biopsy decisions.

  • Testicular concerns

    A lump, pain or swelling - ultrasound differentiates benign from urgent.

  • Breast lumps

    Triple assessment alongside examination and, sometimes, mammogram.

  • MSK soft-tissue pain

    Tendinopathy, bursitis, ganglion - targeted, dynamic imaging.

  • Early pregnancy

    Confirming intrauterine location, dating and viability.

  • Red flag: acute severe symptoms

    Sudden severe testicular pain, torsion suspicion or ruptured ectopic - A&E.

Procedure options

Formats and probes.

Which approach fits which question.

  • Transabdominal ultrasound

    Standard approach for abdominal and larger pelvic scans.

  • Transvaginal ultrasound

    Best resolution for uterus, ovaries and early pregnancy.

  • Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)

    Prostate assessment and biopsy guidance.

  • MSK ultrasound

    Dynamic imaging of tendons and soft tissue.

  • Doppler / vascular ultrasound

    Blood-flow imaging - for DVT, carotid stenosis, varicose veins.

  • Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)

    Microbubble contrast - characterises liver and kidney lesions.

  • Point-of-care ultrasound

    Bedside scans in cardiology and A&E settings.

  • Guided procedures

    Injections and biopsies guided by real-time ultrasound.

Our vetted UK network

A small panel of radiologists, we picked them.

Consultant radiologists across London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.

Selection criteria

How we choose every consultant in our network.

A modern UK operating theatre
Consultant-led care
  • CQC-registered imaging centres with modern 1.5T/3T MRI, multislice CT or high-end ultrasound

  • UK GMC-registered subspecialty consultant radiologists reporting the scan

  • Same-week appointments including evenings and weekends across London and major UK cities

  • Direct insurer preauth handling for Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA and Cigna

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

The safety profile is well understood. What matters is choosing the right test, and reading the report honestly.

  • No radiation

    Ultrasound uses sound waves. Safe in pregnancy and repeatable.

  • No contrast usually needed

    Most scans are contrast-free.

  • Painless

    Warm gel and a probe pressed against the skin.

  • Operator-dependent

    Skill matters. We work only with lead sonographers and consultants.

  • Limits

    Bowel gas, obesity and bone limit ultrasound. CT or MRI may be needed next.

  • Incidental findings

    Benign cysts and lipomas are common. Report gives clear next steps.

  • Chaperones

    A chaperone is offered for intimate scans as standard.

  • Pregnancy safety

    Safe throughout pregnancy - the standard tool for obstetric imaging.

  • When to escalate

    Acute testicular pain, suspected ectopic or severe abdominal pain - A&E.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever centre does the scan, the report keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the operation note and any histology before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and body part

    Why the scan was done and which area was imaged.

  2. 02 Findings

    Organ-by-organ description

    Sized description of each structure with any abnormality flagged.

  3. 03 Comparison

    Change from prior imaging

    New, stable or resolved compared to previous studies.

  4. 04 Impression

    What matters and what to do

    Read this first - summary and next steps.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Imaging is usually covered by UK private medical insurance when there’s a specialist referral and a clear clinical indication. Screening scans in well people are almost always self-pay.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about private ultrasound.

Quick answers on approach, recovery, risks and cost.

  • Do I need a referral for a private ultrasound?

    Most centres accept a GP or specialist referral; a few offer direct-access self-pay for common scans (early pregnancy, testicular, breast). We confirm at booking.

  • Is ultrasound safe in pregnancy?

    Yes. Ultrasound is the standard tool for obstetric imaging and is used routinely from the first trimester onwards.

  • How much does a private ultrasound cost in the UK?

    Roughly £200–£400 abdominal, £200–£350 pelvic, £250–£450 transvaginal, £220–£350 thyroid, £250–£500 MSK.

  • Do I need to fast or drink water?

    Abdominal scans usually need 6 hours fasting; transabdominal pelvic scans need a full bladder; transvaginal is easier with an empty bladder. We send instructions in writing.

  • How soon will I get the report?

    Verbal impression on the day; written report the same day or within 24 hours.

  • When is ultrasound not enough?

    Deep-seated organs, bone detail and lung imaging need CT or MRI. Ultrasound is often a first look that decides whether a further scan is needed.

Pulse Healthcare concierge

Send us your enquiry

A concierge service for UK private healthcare. We match you with the best vetted clinics and consultants in our network - they then contact you directly.

So we can match you to the right clinician close to you.

We reply to every enquiry within 24 hours (Mon–Fri). Confidential - your details are never shared outside our vetted consultant network.