Ultrasound delays putting pregnant women and cancer patie...

What’s Happening

Alright so Demand for ultrasound has increased but too few people are being trained for the job, sonographers warn.

Ultrasound delays putting pregnant women and cancer patients at risk, sonographers say 4 hours ago Save Philippa Roxby Health reporter Save Pregnant women and cancer patients are facing delays having vital ultrasound scans because of a shortage of staff which is risking lives, the experts say. NHS sonographers, who carry out scans at 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and also help diagnose cancers, warn that one in four job posts are vacant in England with even greater shortages in the north west and south east of England. (shocking, we know)

The Society of Radiographers, which represents sonographers, says demand for ultrasound has increased in healthcare but there arent enough people being trained to do the work.

The Details

The government says its aware of the pressure facing ultrasound services in hospitals and is planning new services in local communities. Pregnant women across the UK are offered at least two ultrasound scans - one at 11 to 14 weeks and another between 18 and 21 weeks.

The scans estimate the date of delivery, check on the growth of the ba for health conditions that may affect the brain, heart and spinal cord, among other issues. Some women need additional scans to monitor their babys health and their own as the pregnancy progresses.

Why This Matters

Katie Thompson, president of the Society of Radiographers and a practising sonographer, says a UK-wide lack of staff is particularly affecting urgent, short-notice scans. “If somebodys coming in with concerns about their pregnancy, about their baby, they would like to be scanned that day, if possible,” she says. But thats not possible in most hospitals, she says, meaning women have to wait to find out if there are any issues.

Medical professionals are taking note of this development.

The Bottom Line

But thats not possible in most hospitals, she says, meaning women have to wait to find out if there are any issues. “That raises anxiety - and thats not good to have in pregnancy.

What’s your take on this whole situation?