Paying for scan photos

[2020firsttimemum]

So from the 1st sept our trust will be making you pay for scan photos even for the 12 week and 20 week scans.

I'm shocked by this as with my first baby two years ago it was never a thing

Do all of the trusts charge??

At ours we get 12 week photos free but have to pay for 20 week. The fee was waived during covid when I had to go to all my scans alone

Ours did charge in 2017; think it was £5 a photo and they were printed via a nifty little machine in the waiting area. They don’t charge now but do ask how many you want. Not wanting to seem grabby, I asked if we could please have two: one full length and one of the head/ face and the sonographer replied “have a few more than that!” and printed 5 or 6.

I also think they should bring back a charge!

Birmingham did in 2014-16.

They told you to bring £5 in change on your scan letter IIRC!

Mine did - and my youngest DC is a teenager now!!

It's always been a thing in our area

Lots of nurses/midwives turn a blind eye though

I don't think it's unreasonable to be honest when you have a health service that can't find more important services/treatment

I had to pay for scan photos of all of ours (in 2002, 2003 and 2009), and I think this is common for most trusts.

I did get a few "free" ones with our last, but we had weekly scans due to the discovery of a CHD. At one scan our doctor was using a new machine that offered 3D scans, so they switched that on to give us a look and gave a few free pictures.

Ours do a suggested donation to the hospital charity, they give you an envelope and you pop it in a box near the door. I like this way because people who can’t necessarily afford it aren’t embarrassed or put under pressure.

Ours charge £15 but for our 20 week scan they gave them us for free as they were so rubbish!

We were charged in 2017 but not last year for some reason. We even got extra pictures at our 20 week scan - the sonographer said our baby was the first one to play ball that day (in the right position) so she gave us 5/6 different pictures. The appointment letters said we would have to pay at all appointments so it was a nice surprise.

Mine wrote they did but never actually asked us for money with DC1. With DC2, they gave us 1 printed at 12 week and then told us to take pics with our phone of the monitor for any more - much better option as most people want it on their phone anyway!

We have always had to pay. £5 for one or £10 for three. It’s been in place for a very long time at my local hospital.

Ten years ago we paid £5 for two photos, but they gave us 4. I didn't realise any NHS trust gave them free.

My hospital don’t offer photos at all - we had to take photos of the screen.

I remember around 15 years ago being in an ultrasound waiting room of another hospital and seeing a machine to pay for photos.

So mad how different they all are!

I only found out a week or two ago as well that when you give birth, you go onto a ward with x amount of other ladies and their babies. Or normally anyway
The hospital I had my son in, and will again, doesn't have that and you get your own private room. So again I was baffled that it wasn't the case for all hospitals!

Ours charged too, think it was £3 for one but they did discounts so £5 for three (I think). Funny thing is that they just printed loads off and didn’t even look at our receipt!

Mine always charged too

£8 per picture

Yes and it's hell

Always charged round our way. Why not? It’s to show grandparents, not actually needed. It’s not “care”.

Ours have always charged.

I think I remember paying 21 years ago, and was happy to do so. Why should it be free?

That was the policy 6 and 3 years ago, at different trusts. They where around £3 each, though I only bought one and ended up being given several both times. I was also given free photos when I needed some non standard scans.

I gave birth overseas and I agree with you OP. I am a private person in general and I can’t fathom having to share a room and bathroom with strangers right after giving birth! Based on the horror stories I read on here about the wards my feelings are justified.

I paid £4 a picture at Leicester royal in 2014 and 2017. This year I had scans in Liverpool womens and they were free. I was surprised they didn’t charge as I thought it’s normal in most places.

With regards to staying on a postnatal ward it was hell with my first - with my second I was discharged straight from labour ward which was so much better. I’m hoping for a speedy discharge after the birth again.

I was charged in 2008. Needed the correct change too!