An ultrasound is an essential diagnostic tool that allows us to clearly see what's happening beneath your skin so we can be sure about your next steps
If you need a diagnostic ultrasound scan, St Edmunds Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, part of Circle Health Group, offers fast access to high-quality imaging in a modern, supportive environment.
Ultrasound is a safe, painless test that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. It is commonly used to investigate symptoms, monitor health conditions, and provide reassurance.
At St Edmunds Hospital, you’ll benefit from experienced radiologists and sonographers, state-of-the-art technology, and clear explanations of your results. Whether you require an abdominal scan, a musculoskeletal ultrasound, or a transvaginal examination, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
An ultrasound, also known as sonography, is an imaging scan that uses sound waves to build real time pictures of your internal organs and soft tissue structures, such as blood vessels. This gives your doctor a clear picture of what is happening inside your body without the need for surgery.
Ultrasound can be used for many reasons, including to:
During the scan, ultrasounds don’t use radiation to produce the images like an X-ray or CT scan might. Ultrasounds also typically focus on imaging one area of your body, instead of being a full body scan like other imaging tests, such as an MRI.
The cost of your ultrasound scan will depend on factors such as the type of ultrasound you are having, why you are having it, and whether you are having treatment at the same time. You will know exactly what your scan will cost before you book.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.
Your ultrasound scan can be covered by your private health insurance, but not always. Speak to your insurance provider directly to enquire what is included in your policy.
We will walk you through the process before you go through the scan, so you’re aware of what will happen and whether you need to prepare beforehand.
No special preparation is typically needed before the scan. You may wish to wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing so your radiologist can easily access the area they need to scan.
If you are getting an ultrasound during your pregnancy, and especially early pregnancy, or need to image your uterus, you should drink plenty of water and try to avoid urinating before the test. When your bladder is full, a better image is produced of the uterus.
If you are having a transvaginal ultrasound, you will need to empty your bladder right before the procedure.
You won’t need to fast or have sedation for a pelvic ultrasound, unless the ultrasound is part of another procedure that requires anaesthesia.
During the scan, a probe called a transducer is passed over the area of your body that needs to be examined. This is done by a consultant radiologist, a doctor specialised in performing a variety of scans, including ultrasounds. The radiologist will press the device against the studied area and move it to capture images. The transducer sends out sound waves into your body and collects an image of the reflected waves that bounce back. These images will appear on a computer, and your radiologist will analyse them determine their thoughts on your condition.
How the ultrasound scan will be done will depend on where you need to be imaged and whether it needs to be an external or internal scan.
If the scan is external, your radiologist will put a layer of lubricating gel on the area that needs to be scanned to help the device glide smoothly over the skin's surface. This may feel cool, wet, and sticky on the skin. You may feel slight discomfort, but the scan should not be painful.
If the scan is internal, the transducer will be inserted inside the body to get a clearer picture. Examples of internal ultrasounds include:
An ultrasound test will typically take 30 minutes to an hour to complete. However, this can vary depending on individual circumstances.
Once the scan is complete, you will be asked to clean up any lubricating gel that may be on your skin. After the scan is finished, you can usually go home straight away.
If you had a sedative for the procedure, it is strongly advised that you:
If you’ve been given anaesthesia for your ultrasound, you may have to stay in the hospital for a few hours to monitor your general wellbeing.
Once reviewed by a radiologist, your ultrasound scan results will usually be sent to the doctor who made the referral within two days of your procedure. They will discuss the scans and whether there is anything of note to investigate further.
Generally, ultrasounds that are performed externally are not considered painful. However, this can depend on your personal pain tolerance. You may feel uncomfortable if you must have a full bladder for the appointment.
If you are having an internal ultrasound, you may feel discomfort and possibly pain during the scan. If you have any issues or concerns during the appointment, please let your radiologist know.
No matter the location of the scan, you won’t feel the sound waves during an ultrasound.
A transvaginal ultrasound lets your doctor see your pelvic organs, which include your uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
It can help diagnose conditions, such as:
It can also help see if an intrauterine device (IUD) is in the right position if it is causing any discomfort.
A transvaginal ultrasound may also be done in early pregnancy too. It can:
Whether or not you need to avoid food will depend on the type of ultrasound you will be having.
If you are having an abdominal ultrasound, you may have to avoid eating for several hours before the procedure. This helps prevent gas buildup in the tummy area that could affect the results.
Your consultant will give you further information and instructions before the test if this is the case.
You only need a full bladder for certain types of ultrasound. If you are asked to make sure you have a full bladder before your ultrasound, this means it is essential. The extra fluid in your bladder helps create clearer images of the organs being scanned in the pelvis or lower tummy.
A full bladder pushes the bowel out of the way as it expands, letting sound waves travel through to the targeted area with less resistance. This can help your doctor see your uterus, ovaries, bladder or baby better.
To book an ultrasound scan at St Edmunds Hospital, you will need a referral from a GP or other healthcare professional.
Whether you are a private or NHS patient, your GP can refer you to our hospital to have your ultrasound. We will then send the results back to your GP. If you are already a patient at St Edmunds and you need an ultrasound, your consultant will refer you to our imaging team to arrange the scan.
If you don’t have a referral but believe you need an ultrasound scan, it’s important to speak to a specialist first.
Call or book online to make an appointment with a relevant consultant near you, and they will be able to discuss your conditions and – if appropriate – refer you for an ultrasound scan.
When choosing St Edmunds Hospital for your ultrasound, you're opting for expert, patient-centred healthcare here in Bury St Edmunds. In everything that we do, we focus on making your experience as convenient and streamlined as possible.
St Edmunds is a great choice for your ultrasound because we offer:
Your scan will be performed by a team of experienced radiographers dedicated to providing excellent diagnostic imaging.
We offer daily clinics and flexible appointment times to easily fit your scan into your schedule.
As Mid Suffolk's only dedicated private hospital, we offer private ultrasound and other diagnostic testing, all supported by our onsite imaging department.
We accept referrals from both your local GP and other consultants.
Our patients frequently commend our excellent service and our caring, respectful staff, who ensure you feel well looked after from the moment you arrive.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
If you’re looking to get fast-tracked ultrasound results, why not book your appointment online today.
Reception: 01284 701371
Mon - Sun: 24 hours
Visiting hours for Inpatients are from 9am to 7pm.
Parking available
