Baby Scan Studio Ashford

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

The key question Caring looked for evidence that the service involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. At our last assessment we rated this key question as good. During the recent assessment we assessed 3 quality statements the rating remained good. People were supported and treated with dignity and respect. The service treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

Women, birthing people and their partners were fully involved with their care. Sonographers were observed taking their time to explain the scan procedure before and during the scan.

Staff communicated with women, birthing people and their families in a way they could understand, using language women and birthing people could understand when performing the scan.

Staff followed policy to keep patient care and treatment confidential. Staff ensured they always maintained the woman’s privacy and dignity during the ultrasounds by using disposable paper towel.

Women, birthing people and their families could give feedback on the service and their treatment and staff supported them to do this. The registered manager monitored patient feedback on their social media page and online reviews.

Women and birthing people said staff treated them well and with kindness. We saw comments and feedback were overwhelmingly positive from women, birthing people who used the service and their partners.

The registered manager responded to all feedback which was not positive to gain a further understanding of the woman’s experience and in most cases, we saw the registered manager had tried to resolve the concerns raised.

The service treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

The service did not have wheelchair access. However, this was highlighted on the website and women and birthing people requiring disabled access were advised to contact the registered manager so that they could be directed to a baby scan service that had accessibility.

Women and birthing people attending scans with children or family members were seen in the scanning room on their own or with their partner for a well-being check of foetus before allowing other family members into the room. The service manager explained that this allowed women, birthing people and their partners support and privacy if there were any concerns found on the ultrasound scan.

Staff told us that they would make sure women, birthing people and their families who had received bad news were given all the time and support they needed. Scan result discussions were held in the scanning room where conversations could not be overheard, and time was given to the woman and their family to ask questions.

Women and birthing people attending appointments were asked to telephone the service on arrival before entering the building.

Staff undertook training on breaking bad news and demonstrated empathy when talking about having difficult conversations with women and birthing people. The registered manager told us the team worked hard to provide support and information to women, birthing people and their families when breaking bad news. Staff knew how to support women and birthing people to self-refer into NHS service and staff signposted women to the Miscarriage Association for support. The Miscarriage Association provides support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or molar pregnancy.

The provider promoted people’s independence, so women and birthing people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

The service provided information on scan packages and supported women, birthing people and their families on choosing the right package for their needs.

Women and birthing people were reassured and supported through their first scan appointments and could have a partner or a friend supporting them.

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress. Staff cared for women and birthing people with compassion.

Women, birthing people and their families were asked to call when they arrived at the service so as not to disturb any woman or birthing person that required more support or time following bad or unexpected news following their scan.

Women and birthing people were fully involved with their care and were given the opportunity to ask questions throughout their appointment.

The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff, and supported and enabled staff to always deliver person-centred care.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and they felt valued by their colleagues and service manager. Staff could contribute to decision making and the service manager welcomed their professional input.