Terms and Conditions

1 DEFINITIONS

“MUL” means Medical Ultrasound Limited

“Patient Information” refers to the information supplied by MUL to its patients in brochure or letter form and any information available via the company website(s).

“Ultrasound” refers to any scanning carried out by a sonographer/radiographer engaged under a contract of services by MUL or by an employee of MUL. “Sonographer” or ”Radiographer” means a suitably qualified healthcare professional who is trained and competent in the provision of medical ultrasound examinations and who is registered with an appropriate professional regulatory body relevant to the ultrasound service being provided, including the Health and Care Professions Council or the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and who practises within their scope of registration and competence.

“Patient” means any person who has entered into a contract for an ultrasound scan.

“Pre-booking” means a booking made prior to Scanning or an ultrasound with a sonographer or radiographer.

“Ultrasound Fee” means the total cost for the ultrasound scanning.

2 PATIENT ULTRASOUND SCANNING

The Patient is under the care and supervision of the sonographer, radiographer or healthcare professional.  MUL staff will provide ultrasound scanning in accordance with MUL’s protocols.

The Patient accepts that administration staff are not sonographers and as such any information that they may give is merely of a general, nonclinical nature. The Patient should raise any queries with the sonographer or other suitably qualified healthcare staff.

MUL will provide an ultrasound scan with a sonographer/radiographer who is registered with the appropriate regulatory body and who holds the relevant qualifications and training. Those sonographers or radiographers who are employees of MUL or self- employed are covered by the Company’s Medical Indemnity cover.

MUL is obliged to provide suitable facilities and equipment to undertake the ultrasound scanning offered.

The full cost of the ultrasound scanning includes: the information with the sonographer or radiographer and the ultrasound scanning.

The price of ultrasound scanning does not include any additional costs charged by 3rd parties.

If a patient is not happy with the outcome of their ultrasound scanning, MUL will not be responsible for any costs for procedures, unless these costs have been explicitly agreed and approved by MUL in advance.

3 CONSENT

The consent process is designed to ensure that the patient and sonographers are fully in agreement as to the information provided or the ultrasound that has been planned, and that the Patient fully understands the potential benefits, risks, and complications. Patient information will be provided to ensure informed consent is obtained.

It is the responsibility of the sonographer/radiographer to obtain the patient’s consent prior to commencing any ultrasound scanning and to answer questions about the Patient’s ultrasound scanning that they may have.

The Patient agrees to provide the sonographer/radiographer and healthcare staff with a complete medical history that is honest and accurate. Withholding any medical information could be detrimental to patient health and safety and may result in the cancellation of Ultrasound scanning in accordance with sections 7 & 8 of this agreement. The Patient must inform MUL of any change in their medical history status that occurs during their ultrasound scanning with MUL.

MUL reserve the right to contact a Patient’s GP should it be necessary, with the consent of the patient. Should the patient withhold consent, the sonographer/radiographer will be unable to continue with the planned ultrasound scanning.

4 AGE LIMIT

The minimum age for ultrasound examinations at Medical Ultrasound Ltd (MUL) is 16 years for most diagnostic scans.

Patients under the age of 18 may be required to attend with a parent, legal guardian, or appropriate adult, and valid consent must be obtained in accordance with MUL consent policies.

Medical Ultrasound Ltd reserves the right to decline or defer appointments where age, consent, or safeguarding requirements cannot be appropriately satisfied.

5 PERIOD OF REFLECTION

As the ultrasound examinations provided by Medical Ultrasound Ltd are elective diagnostic services, patients are encouraged to consider the potential benefits and limitations before proceeding with a scan.

It is the patient’s responsibility to continue routine medical care and attend all appointments recommended by their GP, specialist, or NHS service. Ultrasound scans performed at Medical Ultrasound Ltd are intended to complement, not replace, standard clinical assessment or hospital-based investigations where these have been advised.

Patients should ensure they follow all recommended medical pathways and attend any scheduled appointments arranged by their healthcare providers.

6 FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibility for settlement of the charges levied by MUL is and always remains the responsibility of the patient. MUL may require a deposit to secure a date for ultrasound scanning, and the price of any ultrasound scanning options quoted will be valid for 30 days. The balance of the fee must be paid on or before the date of the ultrasound scanning.

MUL does not provide credit facilities. Ultrasound scanning will only be provided where satisfactory payment has been received. All Major Credit and Debit Cards are accepted by MUL.

7 RESCHEDULING POLICY

If the patient pre-books a date for ultrasound scanning and then decides to reschedule that date, the following administration fees may be charged:

If the ultrasound scanning date is rescheduled, there will be no charge.

MUL reserves the right to alter the patient’s ultrasound scanning date at any point prior to the procedure. Such changes will be avoided where possible unless they are due to circumstances beyond MUL’s control, in which event the patient agrees that no consequential loss will be payable for such changes at short notice.

8 CANCELLATION POLICY

If the patient cancels their appointment and does not rebook for their ultrasound at that point, then the following applies:

Cancellation is within 24 hours, then MUL will retain the deposit or ultrasound scanning payment as a cancellation fee.
If the patient gives more than 24 hours’ notice, then the fee will be refundable, via bank transfer or as a credit to their payment card, within 28 calendar days of the notice to cancel.

In the interest of patient safety, MUL reserve the right to cancel or postpone a procedure. If the ultrasound scanning is cancelled by MUL, a full refund will be provided.

9  COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

If, at any stage of the complaints process, you remain dissatisfied with our response, you may request referral to an independent external complaints adjudication service. With your consent, Medical Ultrasound Ltd will provide the relevant information to support an impartial external review and will cooperate fully with that process.

You may also seek independent advice from your GP or another appropriate advisory body if you require further support.

10 CONFIDENTIALITY

MUL complies with the Data Protection Act 2018, incorporating provisions under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as stated within the Company’s Privacy Policy, which is available on the MUL Website, www.medicalultrasound.co.uk/privacy-and-cookie-policy/

The Patient confirms their consent to the disclosure of personal information by MUL to the sonographer and any other healthcare staff for the purpose of delivering the ultrasound scanning procedure to the patient.

11 VALUABLES

MUL does not accept responsibility for any cash or valuables whilst on MUL’s premises. Patients should endeavour not to bring valuable items with them to the MUL facility, and if they do, they should ensure that all personal belongings are fully insured.

12 RIGHTS RESERVED

MUL reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time. The latest Terms & Conditions are available on request from our practice manager.