Trust to charge parents for baby scan photos
The introduction of a fee for images has sparked anger
‘We regret we can’t offer refunds if you’re unhappy...’
A hospital trust has sparked controversy after deciding to charge parents for baby scan photos.
From September 1, patients at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (MTW) NHS Trust will have to pay for pictures of their child.
It will cost £5 for one photo, £7 for two and £10 for three – and you can only pay by card. Anyone unhappy with the photos is unable to get a refund.
Posting on social media, the MTW Maternity page said: “Photos will be available at routine first trimester and anomaly screening appointments.
“You need to buy the ticket for your baby photo before your scan appointment time, please allow time to do this.
“The machine is in the waiting area – you won’t be able to purchase photos in the scan room.
“We regret we cannot offer refunds if you are unhappy with the image. The maximum
is three photos per scan appointment. Your sonographer will do their best to take good photos of your baby within the time-frame of your scan but they may be unable to get different poses as this depends on how your baby is lying and moving during the scan, so you may get three similar
photos. We do not offer photos later in pregnancy because babies grow too large to be photographed well.”
The controversial decision has divided opinion among soonto-be parents, with hundreds of people commenting on the post.
Zoey Burston wrote: “How pathetic to charge people to have a scan photo of their own baby.”
“This is so sad. I have no words,” Shauna Burke added.
Sian Jade Docherty said: “The problem with this is when I was pregnant with my son I didn’t get one decent photo where you could see him properly or clearly. If I had paid for them I’d be livid not being able to get a refund if the photos aren’t good.”
A Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust spokesman said: “All baby scans for pregnant people are provided free of charge at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust as part of their maternity care, and always have been. Like many other NHS trusts, from September we will charge a small fee for those who want a printed copy of their baby scans.”
Elsewhere Medway charges £7 for two while East Kent asks for donations.