NHS under fire over baby scan fees

A health board has come under fire after refusing to stop charging for baby scan photos – leaving it as the only health authority in Scotland asking for a fee.

NHS Highland bosses said the health board had taken the decision to continue levying a compulsory fee for copies of antenatal images following a “thorough review”.

It said the £5 cost for mums and dads-to-be – £10 for three copies – was justified because the prints were of “much higher quality” than those offered elsewhere.

But SNP MSP Kate Forbes said: “I believe very strongly that those who live in the Highlands should not be penalised by higher costs for living and working.”

An NHS spokesman defended the charges.

He said: “These photographs are of a much higher quality than the thermal paper copies other hospitals use.”