FAQs
Please click one or more of the following questions:
How long will I have to wait for a scan?
Do I need a doctor to refer me?
Can I bring my family and friends to the scan?
How do I pay for the examination?
Is 3D/4D scanning more accurate than a 2D scan?
Can you tell me the gender of my baby?
Do you charge more for multiple pregnancies?
Do I need to pay extra for photos of my baby?
What happens if there is a problem with my scan and it shows something is wrong?
Will my results be confidential?
Are all your practitioners qualified?
How long will I have to wait for a scan?
Kent Medical Imaging is a privately owned independent company. We pride ourselves in that we do not have waiting times or lists for any of our clients. However you may need to be prepared for some examinations such as the abdominal ultrasound and in these cases we may not be able to see you on the day you call for an appointment.
We offer a choice of appointment times to choose from.
At Kent Medical Imaging we offer more time for each appointment than a typical hospital equivalent scan as we like to ensure you understand and are happy with the results before you leave the clinic.
In order to provide a flexible service we are open:
| Monday | 9am to 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am to 1pm (Reception only) |
| Wednesday | 9am to 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am to 1pm (Reception only) |
| Friday | 9am to 5pm |
| Saturday | Open alternate Saturday mornings 9am to 12.30pm |
Clients who are booking assessment examinations may call the clinic on 01732 897666 to book an appointment. And there is no need for a doctor’s referral.
For privately insured clients or for GP/ Consultant self-paying clients, your doctor will write a request form for an ultrasound. You can call the clinic on 01732 897666 to book an appointment, or e-mail it to us at kentmedicalimagingltd@hotmail.com or send us the form by post and one of our staff will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment.
During the examination the Ultrasonographer will show and discuss the ultrasound images with you. Once the examination is finished we normally give you the results straight away. However, sometimes, the images may need to be reviewed and measurements calculated, therefore it is not always possible to give you the results straight away. Once the images are analysed, a report will be issued to your referring doctor and for clients who self-refer we will send you a copy confirming our findings.
You should make an appointment with your referring doctor to discuss the results in detail.
Ultrasound scan is a very cost effective imaging modality compared to others such as CT or MRI. Different examinations have different costs. Please call on 01732 897666 to ask about the cost of your scan or see cost section.
We accept Cash or Debit Card on the day of the examination unless you are claiming from your insurance company. We usually invoice the insurance company directly so all you will need to bring is your membership number and authorization number.
If you are claiming from the Benenden Scheme we will give you a receipt when you attend for your appointment so you can claim back the cost.
Do I need a doctor to refer me?
No. Please contact the clinic for advice on 01732 897666
Different examinations require different lengths of time. However, the majority of examinations will take less than 30 minutes.
Can I bring my family and friends to the scan?
Yes, we have no limit to the number of people you bring with you as long as the Ultrasonographer can concentrate whilst carrying out the scan. The scanning rooms are quite small so usually 2-3 people is a good number. Young children often get bored so it may be an idea to bring books, toys and snacks for them. Please bear in mind that we sometimes find a problem during the scan and it can be very distressing for you if there are a lot of people with you.
How do I pay for the examination?
Kent Medical Imaging accepts debit card payment at the time of booking the scan. This is completely refundable if you need to cancel. Unfortunately, we do not accept credit cards at present. If you are claiming through your insurance company you will need to contact them to get an authorization number. You will need to bring this number and your membership details with you as most insurance companies will only accept an invoice from us.
Is 3D/4D scanning more accurate than 2D?
No. As 3D/4D scans are becoming more popular but they do not offer any advantages over conventional 2D scans in terms of accuracy. A 3D/4D scan is more of a superficial scan when looking at your baby rather than the 2D scan which looks through your baby. As a result we may see facial abnormalities such as cleft lips clearer but we do not use it to check your baby’s internal anatomy.
Can you tell me the gender of my baby
Yes. We can give you an opinion of the gender of your baby from 16 weeks. However, this is not always 100% accurate with ultrasound, but we will do our best and if we are unsure we will rebook you free of charge. There is no additional charge to give you an opinion of the baby’s sex.
If you do not want to know the gender of your baby we will try our best to avoid the relevant area. If you do not say anything we will assume you do not want to know.
Do you charge more for multiple pregnancies?
No. Often we find parents who come for a scan don't know they are having more than one baby so we feel it is unfair then to charge you more for the examination. If you know you have more than one baby when booking an appointment please let us know so we can allow for extra time.
Yes, we comply with the disability and equality act 2010. We are located on the ground floor of the building near to the disabled parking bays. We have doors wide enough for wheel chairs to pass through and we have disabled toilets. We have an electronic entry system for security reasons and will assist you getting in if required.
Do I need to pay for photos of my baby?
No. The photos are included as part of the examination and you do not need to pay extra for them.
What happens if there is a problem with my scan and it shows something is wrong?
If your pregnancy scan shows there is a problem with your baby then the results will be clearly explained to you at the end of your scan. The Ultrasonographer will discuss your options and if you wish to be referred back into the NHS, an appointment will be made for you in the appropriate department. You will be given a detailed report to take away with you.
If you have come for any other scan a report will be emailed the same day as your examination to your doctor. Usually the Ultrasonographer will also telephone your doctor and discuss the findings with them if they are available.
Will my results be confidential?
Adhering to data protection regularities your results will not be viewed by any unauthorized personnel. We will always obtain your permission before we contact your doctor, midwife or Consultant.
Are all your practitioners qualified?
Yes. Our services are delivered by highly qualified Ultrasonographers who have worked for many years in the NHS and private hospitals. Moreover, our practitioners are specialised in the type of examinations they carry out in the clinic. All our Ultrasonographers are state registered and hold a postgraduate diploma (or higher qualification) in Medical Ultrasound.
It is a completely painless procedure and there are no known side effects when used with the recommended guidelines. Please see section on safety.
Yes, providing the recommended guidelines are followed there have been no known hazardous effects reported. Safety in ultrasound is continually being researched and monitored and at KMI we adhere to guidelines set out by our professional body (see safety section).