Babyvision Limited

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

At our last assessment we rated this key question as Good. At this assessment the rating has remained as Good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

The diagnostic imaging service, providing ultrasound scanning, was the only service delivered at Babyvision Limited. We rated the service as good overall, as there were appropriate processes in place to escalate unexpected findings identified during ultrasound scans, and feedback from women and their families was extremely positive. Women were able to access appointments in a way and at times that suited them, and there was timely access to services and treatment. The registered manager demonstrated the necessary skills and experience to effectively manage the service.

We have not awarded this service a score for Safe.

Find out about when we will not publish a key question score and what we look at when we assess Safe.

We scored the service as 3. The evidence showed a good standard. The service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff and leaders listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Learning was shared with staff.

The registered manager was aware of the requirements for reporting incidents to the CQC using the statutory notification route if this met the criteria, under Regulation 18 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009.

Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the duty of candour, being open and transparent with patients and their families and providing full explanations when things went wrong. They described how they would apologise, offer honest information, and provide appropriate support. Staff received feedback from incident investigations, managers confirmed that incidents were investigated with learning shared across the team.

The service promoted a culture of openness and transparency in incident reporting. Staff described incidents as learning opportunities and demonstrated a clear understanding of reporting processes, including how incidents were investigated and managed. A current incident reporting and review policy was in place, aligned with provider and national guidance. Incidents were analysed to identify trends, themes, and any links to individual practitioners. An incident and accident log was maintained, with hard copy records stored securely, and staff were clear about which events required reporting. The registered manager held overall responsibility for incident investigation. From January 2026 to date, the provider reported 1 clinical incident (incorrect gender reveal), 1 patient safety incident (fainting), and 1 health and safety incident (child injury on site).

We scored the service as 3. The evidence showed a good standard. The service worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

Women attending the ultrasound were paying for this service. The referral processes ensured that all essential information about the women was received to determine if their needs could be safely met. Staff involved all the necessary healthcare and social care services if a follow up referral was required.

The referral and admission processes ensured sufficient information was obtained to determine whether people’s needs could be safely met. Staff completed individual risk assessments on arrival using a recognised tool and reviewed these regularly. People using the service were advised to continue attending their routine NHS scans and appointments, with staff clearly explaining that the ultrasound scans and screening tests provided were supplementary to standard maternity care. This was reinforced through clearly stated terms and conditions. Women were required to sign a contract confirming they had read and understood these prior to receiving any service.

The service worked with patients and healthcare partners where required, to understand how best to keep people safe, what it meant for individuals and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The service shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

Staff followed safe procedures for children visiting the service. The registered manager was the safeguarding lead for the service. They were trained to level 3 in safeguarding adults and children. People under the age of 16 and between the ages of 16-18 years of age were asked for ID and with parental consent requirements.

Staff demonstrated an understanding of safeguarding, could recognise potential risks, and described appropriate referral processes, including examples of previous referrals. A safeguarding policy was in place, which included clear contact details for adult and child safeguarding teams.

The service had a lone working policy; however, staff reported they had not worked alone while at the service. Women were offered the option of a chaperone, supported by a written protocol. The safeguarding policy also provided guidance on identifying and reporting female genital mutilation with staff aware of the need to refer any concerns to the local safeguarding team.

The service worked with patients to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet patient’s needs which was safe, supportive and enabled patient to do the things that mattered to them.

Staff had access to a first aid box and there was a defibrillator machine that was shared within the business park. There was clear guidance for staff to follow if a woman suddenly became unwell whilst attending the clinic. If staff had concerns about a woman’s condition during their ultrasound scan, they stopped the scan and telephoned 999 for emergency support.

The service provided non-clinical scans with no diagnostic element, and people were informed of this in advance, with signed disclaimers confirming their understanding. A clear referral protocol was in place for suspected fetal concerns, including documented guidance and contact details for appropriate services such as local NHS fetal medicine units.

The service followed relevant aspects of the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) ‘Pause and Check’ guidelines within its scan protocols. Where non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) results indicated high risk, external providers offered access to a geneticist for telephone consultation. Health and safety arrangements were in place, including an annually reviewed risk assessment and a daily cleaning process that identified and addressed any emerging issues.

Staff communicated effectively with women to ensure they understood the ultrasound process, including adapting communication for those with additional needs. The service captured required support needs through its online booking system to help tailor care appropriately. People were also enabled to provide feedback on their experience, including through social media platforms. Staff were able to access translation service if required.

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

The premises were visibly clean, tidy and well-maintained across all areas, including the reception, scanning room and toilet. Staff were responsible for any daily cleaning and cleaning checklists were in place. Appropriate handwashing facilities were available, including sinks and there was alcohol gel in clinical and toilet areas.

The design, maintenance and use of facilities, premises and equipment kept people safe. Staff were trained to use equipment and to manage different types of waste safely. The design of the environment followed national guidance around the built environment. Where required areas were secure and afforded protection to patients.

The service demonstrated safe management of hazardous substances, with all Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) products stored securely in a locked cupboard within a restricted storeroom. This area was not accessible to women or accompanying persons, reducing the risk of accidental exposure and supporting a safe care environment.

The service ensured equipment and facilities were safely maintained. The ultrasound machine was serviced annually by an external provider, who also undertook any required repairs, supporting its ongoing safety and effectiveness. In addition, electrical equipment testing and intruder alarm maintenance were carried out on a yearly basis, helping to ensure a safe and secure environment for women and staff.

The service made sure there were adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff worked together well to provide safe care, which met patient’s individual needs.

The service had sufficient staffing with the appropriate qualifications, skills and experience to deliver safe care and treatment. The registered manager also undertook the role of sole sonographer and provided clear clinical leadership and oversight; they were supported by a receptionist. Additional capacity was provided by one sonographer on a zero-hours contract, who primarily covered annual leave or worked a Saturday. This staffing model supported continuity of service and ensured people’s needs were met.

The service ensured staff completed mandatory training relevant to their roles. The registered manager had undertaken a range of training including basic life support, safeguarding, domestic violence, modern slavery, information governance and Learning disability and autism training. The receptionist had also completed training in key areas including safeguarding adults and children. The additional sonographer who also worked within an NHS setting, completed mandatory training through their substantive role and remained up to date, supporting a suitably trained workforce and safe service delivery.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. Staff detected and controlled the risk of it spreading by following policies. Infection and prevention and control data was collected and reviewed. Where required, actions were taken to improve shortcomings.

Staff demonstrated effective infection prevention and control practices. Disposable paper coverings were used on the examination couch and changed between each person and the registered manager maintained appropriate hand hygiene before and after each scan. All equipment, including the ultrasound transducer and couch, was cleaned after every use with suitable disinfectant wipes to ensure safe care.

The service undertook monthly infection prevention and control audits using a comprehensive checklist covering key areas including policies, sharps management, waste handling, hand hygiene, availability of personal protective equipment, blood sample handling, probe cover use. Identified actions were addressed promptly, demonstrating an effective approach to continuous improvement. The registered manager acted as the infection control lead and had completed relevant training, supporting strong oversight and compliance.

The most recent audit (February 2026) demonstrated strong compliance with infection prevention and control standards, with full compliance achieved in hand hygiene, ultrasound equipment cleaning, transvaginal probe decontamination and Personal Protected Equipment use. Minor environmental improvements were identified relating to cleanliness, maintenance of the scan room saddle seat, provision of an additional recycling bin, and ensuring sharps bins were appropriately dated. Actions had been identified and should be monitored and reviewed at the next audit.

Staff followed good infection prevention practice through the consistent use of personal protective equipment, with gloves and aprons readily available and appropriately used during patient interactions. They adhered to ‘arms bare below the elbows’ guidance in clinical areas to reduce the risk of contamination and support effective hand hygiene. The service had a clear infection prevention and control policy, which set out appropriate protocols for baby keepsake scans, transvaginal scans and blood sampling for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), supporting safe and consistent practice.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.