USEFUL INFO
Frequently asked questions
Private ultrasound scans which are quick, simple and affordable, with appointments at your convenience.
Before you book
The questions we are asked most often. Cannot see yours? Send us an enquiry or call 020 8920 3129 — we would rather answer it than have you guess.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
For most of our scans and tests, no — you can book directly with us and pay for the appointment yourself. If you do have a referral from a GP or consultant, bring it with you, because it tells the person carrying out your test what to look for. Some tests do need a referral; where that is the case it is stated when you book.
How quickly will I get my results?
You or your referrer will be given a written report with a recommendation within 24 hours. The report is sent by e-mail as a PDF, and includes the images or measurements taken during your test. If your test also needs blood work, that result comes from our laboratory partner and can take up to 7 working days.
Will my GP be told what you found?
Only with your consent. We take your GP's details when you register, and if the outcome of your test is a recommendation to follow something up, the practitioner who carried it out will send a copy of the report to your GP or other healthcare professional — with your agreement. For weekend appointments this can take up to 48 hours.
When do I pay, and can I pay online?
There is nothing to pay when you book online. Payment is made before your test is carried out, at the clinic. Every price is published in full on our prices page, so you can see what a test costs before you commit to anything.
When are you open?
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Is there an age limit?
You must be at least 18 years old at the time of booking. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an appropriate adult, and you may be asked to show identification before your appointment.
Do you offer pregnancy scans?
No. We do not carry out pregnancy-related scans of any kind. If you are pregnant, or think you might be, please tell us when you book — it can affect whether a test is suitable for you.
Is a scan safe? What about radiation?
Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and the protocol we use has never been shown to cause harm — we scan on the ALARA principle, meaning as low as reasonably achievable. An X-ray does use radiation, but only a low level and for a fraction of a second: a chest, limb or dental X-ray is equivalent to a few days of the background radiation everyone is exposed to anyway. The benefits and risks are weighed before an X-ray is recommended, and you can raise any concern with the radiographer beforehand.
Can somebody come with me?
One guest may come with you to your appointment. Please do not bring children under 12 — we have no facilities to look after them while you are being seen.
What if I need to cancel or move my appointment?
E-mail us at least 24 hours before your appointment and there is no charge to move or cancel it. Inside 24 hours, or where the appointment was booked for the same day or the next day, payments already made are not refunded. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late the appointment is treated as cancelled, so please tell us as soon as you know.
Where exactly are you?
We are at the rear of Grovelands Medical Centre, 1 Grovelands Rd, London, N13 4RJ. When you reach the medical centre, carry on round to the back of the building. If you cannot find us, call 020 8920 3129 and we will guide you in.
Do I need to prepare for my test?
It depends on the test. Cardiac tests need no preparation. Some ultrasound scans do — a pelvic scan needs a full bladder, and an abdominal scan needs you to have eaten and drunk nothing for eight hours beforehand. The full instructions for each are further down this page, and we confirm what applies to you when you book.
Preparing for your test
What to expect on the day, and the referral forms for healthcare professionals.
For patients
Cardiac tests
No preparation is required.
We may require you to remove articles of clothing and you may be asked to put on a paper gown. Some jewellery articles may interfere with the test and may have to be removed. Wear loose clothing for most ultrasound types.
You will be asked into the room after changing into a gown or removing clothing from the area being examined. You may be asked to take up a certain position and stay in that position for most of the test.
For an echocardiogram, a technician places a lubricating gel onto the area being examined and uses a device called a transducer to make contact with your skin. For an ECG and a 24-hour ECG the technician places sticky pads onto your skin to connect the ECG electrodes. For 24-hour blood pressure the technician attaches a cuff around the left arm and fits the recording device either around the right arm or the lower chest.
You can remove the ultrasound gel or sticky pads with relative ease and no traces. You may go about your daily activities immediately after the test, unless our staff advise otherwise. The report is produced by the reading physician and shared with your referring doctor, and you can discuss the results with your doctor at a follow-up appointment.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound may require you to remove articles of clothing and you may be asked to put on a paper gown. Some jewellery articles may interfere with the test and may have to be removed. Loose clothing is required for most ultrasound types.
Pelvic ultrasound: drink 1 litre of water 1 hour before the appointment, and do not go to the washroom. Abdominal or renal ultrasound: no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum for 8 hours before the appointment. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound together: no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum for 8 hours before, and drink 1 litre of water 1 hour before without going to the washroom. Transrectal ultrasound: a Fleet enema or glycerin suppository 2 hours before the examination, and drink 500ml of water 1 hour before. Vascular ultrasound: no preparation required.
You will be asked into the room after changing into a gown or removing clothing from the area being examined. You may be asked to take up a certain position and stay in that position for most of the test.
A technician places a lubricating gel onto the area being examined so that a device called a transducer makes contact with your skin. For some ultrasound tests — transvaginal and transrectal — the probe is inserted into a natural opening in the body. Most other ultrasound tests are done on the skin surface.
For referrers
Ultrasound referral form
X-ray referral form
Cardiac tests referral form
STILL NEED A HAND?
Ask us directly
Call us for an appointment
The quickest way to reach us, and the right one if your question is urgent.
020 8920 3129
E-mail the clinic
For anything that is not urgent — we aim to answer every enquiry within 24 hours.
Queries@theldc.co.uk