NHS Tayside in spotlight on baby scans

A number of women in Perthshire have questioned NHS Tayside’s claims their antenatal scan photographs are not formally charged for.

A Freedom of Information request was sent to all health boards in Scotland, and found only NHS Highland formally charged for these scan photographs.

The response given by NHS Tayside stated:“For routine antenatal screening and dating scans women can offer a donation; they are not formally charged.”

However since this news came to light, John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, says he has been contacted by a number of new parents in his constituency who say they have been charged £1 per photograph, and not informed the charge was a voluntary donation.

Mr Swinney is now looking for answers on the matter from NHS Tayside:“I am concerned that a number of my constituents have made me aware that they do not believe the charges for their baby scan photos, that were carried out in NHS Tayside facilities, were voluntary.

“Most parents who have contacted me have informed me that they were asked for payment for all of their scan photos and do not believe they received any information to advise them that such payment would be a donation, and not mandatory.

“I have asked NHS Tayside to confirm their position in relation to this matter. I am concerned that their position, as set out in their FOI response, does not match with the experience of recent service users.

“If it is the case that charges are voluntary I belive it would be helpful for NHS Tayside to make this very clear to all expectant parents, as soon as possible, in order to help avoid this sort of confusion in the future.”