Updated
26 August 2026
We inspected using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out a short-notice, announced inspection on 31 March and 1 April 2026.
Window to the Womb - Chester le Street is a scanning service and is registered to provide diagnostic and screening procedures for self-funding, self-referring adults and young people over the age of 16. The service runs clinics during weekdays and evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. The service offers pregnancy scans, pelvic scans, fertility scans, general health scans, and blood tests.
At this assessment we identified no breaches of regulations.
We assessed all quality statements from the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led key questions. We did not assess the quality statement relating to medicines as this was not relevant for this service. We visited clinical areas and spoke with the nominated individual, sonographer and scan assistants, registered manager, reception staff, and people who used the service. We looked at patient’s healthcare records, policies, procedures, and other documents related to the running of the service.
We rated the service as good.
Our rating for each key question was good.
Updated
13 January 2026
We inspected using our comprehensive inspection methodology. We carried out a short-notice, announced inspection on 31 March and 1 April 2026. We assessed all quality statements from the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led key questions.
Window to the Womb in Chester le Street is owned by D I Harries Ltd and trades as Window to the Womb. The service provides private diagnostic imaging for self-funding adults and young people over the age of 16. The service offers pregnancy scans, pelvic scans, fertility scans, general health scans, and blood tests. Window to the Womb has separated their services into 3 clinic types; general health clinics providing ultrasound scans and blood tests to adults, and two types of pregnancy clinics - ‘FirstScan’ clinic sessions specialised in early pregnancy scans up to 14 weeks +6 days gestation and ‘Window to the Womb’ clinic sessions offered later pregnancy scans.
The service has had a registered manager in post since initial registration and is registered with the CQC to provide diagnostic and screening procedures. No medicines are used.
We visited all areas of the clinic, including reception and the waiting area, quiet room, and scan room. We interviewed 6 staff, including the clinic manager, registered manager, receptionist, sonographer, and scan assistants. We spoke with 5 people who used the service and 4 relatives who also shared their views. We reviewed staff and patient records and observed 5 pregnancy scans. No special reviews or investigations had been carried out by the CQC in the 12 months prior to inspection.
There were 7 members of staff employed by the service which had enough staff to keep people who used the service safe. Staff were trained in key skills, safeguarded people from abuse, and managed safety and infection risks effectively. Staff carried out risk assessments and documented them appropriately. Safety incidents were managed well, with learning shared across the team, and other Window to the Womb clinics in the group in the Northeast and Northwest of England.
Staff provided consistent care and treatment. Managers monitored performance and ensured staff were competent. Staff worked collaboratively, supported people in making informed choices, and provided access to relevant information. Services were tailored to meet people’s needs.
People were treated with compassion and respect. Staff maintained privacy and dignity, responded to individual needs, and offered emotional support to pregnant women and their families.
Care was planned around the needs of the local population. Feedback was encouraged, and access to services was timely, with no waiting list.
Leadership was effective. Reliable information systems supported service delivery and staff development. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, felt respected and supported, and were clear about their roles and opportunities to learn and grow. The service engaged well with people and the community, and staff were committed to continuous improvement.