Wye Valley NHS Trust is bringing back charges for printed baby scan pictures on Monday 16 November, from £5 for one to £20 for six. The scan itself stays free.
Expectant parents in Herefordshire will pay for printed pictures of their baby’s ultrasound scan again from Monday 16 November.
Wye Valley NHS Trust, which runs the County Hospital in Hereford, announced on 10 November that it is reintroducing the charge. It applies to printed images handed over during maternity ultrasound appointments.
The new prices
| Printed scan images | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 image | £5 |
| 3 images | £10 |
| 4 images | £15 |
| 6 images | £20 |
Those are the four options the trust has published. It has not listed prices for two or five images.
Why the trust is charging
Rose-Marie Jones, the trust’s lead sonographer, said the pictures are “a special and memorable keepsake for many families”.
“To help cover the costs of producing and providing these images, we will be reintroducing a charge for printed baby scan photographs,” she said. “The charge will enable us to continue offering this optional service while ensuring NHS resources remain focused on the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.”
What it means for you
- The scan is still free. The trust says the charge does not affect the ultrasound examination or the care you get at the appointment.
- The pictures are optional. You only pay if you want printed copies to take home.
- It starts on Monday 16 November. Any maternity scan appointment from that date onwards is covered.
- Ask on the day. The trust says parents with questions about getting scan images should speak to the sonography team at their appointment.
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