Ultrasound scan

Using high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of the inside of your body
This scan or test is available at: KIMS Hospital or Sevenoaks Medical Centre - you can request your preferred location when you contact us
Prices & payment Enquiries & appointments

Ultrasounds are scans most commonly known for monitoring pregnancy but are also used to diagnose a number of conditions by using sound waves to create a picture of the inside of your body. Your Consultant may recommend an ultrasound scan to monitor organs such as the liver or heart, examine the renal system, or as part of a prostate gland examination. Increasingly, ultrasound is used as a guide for treatment, for example, it’s used to guide pain relieving injections directly into joints. Using ultrasound ensures that the injection is delivered to the precise area for maximum effect.

You will need to have been referred for an ultrasound scan by a qualified healthcare professional, such as your GP or Consultant. If you think you need an ultrasound scan but don’t have a referral yet, our team are happy to assist you by offering you an appointment with a Private GP or Physical Therapist, who will be able to determine whether you need a scan and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. You can book an appointment at KIMS Hospital or Sevenoaks Medical Centre.

Real-time scan results to assist a quick diagnosis

Ultrasonic sound waves travel freely through fluid and soft tissues but, as they hit a more solid surface, such as a heart valve, the waves echo back in varying strengths to create a real-time picture. This real-time image can also display movement and structure, such as the opening and closing of your heart valves, or to monitor the blood flowing in your deep veins.

Sometimes it is necessary for your Consultant to carry out an internal ultrasound, such as if you are having a prostate gland examination or they need to examine your ovaries or certain parts of the womb. Your Consultant will advise you ahead of a scan so you know what to expect.

Locations

We offer ultrasound imaging at:

KIMS Hospital, Maidstone

Find out more about the facilities available at KIMS Hospital.
Sevenoaks Medical Centre Outside

Sevenoaks Medical Centre

Find out more about Sevenoaks Medical Centre, our consulting and diagnostic facility for patients in West Kent.

Prices & payment

We offer a guide price of:

Ultrasound scan
£259
Read more about the self-pay process Read more about the self-pay process
How to use private medical insurance How to use private medical insurance

The above are guide prices only.

Our terms and conditions can be found here.

Ultrasound scan FAQs

Where can I have an ultrasound scan?

We offer ultrasound imaging services at KIMS Hospital in Maidstone and Sevenoaks Medical Centre. If you’re a private patient, you can choose where to have your scan. For example, even if you have your initial consultation at KIMS Hospital, you can still have your ultrasound scan in Sevenoaks. This might be because we can offer you an appointment sooner, or you may find it more convenient to switch between our facilities, depending on where you live and work.

What does an ultrasound involve?

Firstly, you will be asked to lie down for the procedure and a gel will be put onto your skin to ensure the ultrasound probe makes good contact with your body. The ultrasound probe is controlled by the Consultant Radiologist who will move the probe around to take in depth images.

Do I need to do anything before the ultrasound scan?

Your Consultant will advise whether you need to do anything in preparation for your scan, although this is generally only for patients having their bladder, womb or prostate scanned.

Patients having their ovaries or womb scanned may be asked to come to the hospital with a full bladder, ensuring that the womb is pushed into a position that is easier to scan. This is also common for patients having an ultrasound to monitor their bladder.

If you are having your prostate gland examined, you will need to make sure you have had a bowel movement to ensure your rectum is empty before your scan.

Will it hurt?

Ultrasound imaging is a simple and painless procedure, so you should not experience any pain. However, for patients requiring an internal ultrasound, you may experience some slight discomfort, but this shouldn’t last for long.

Where ultrasound is used as a guide for pain relieving injections, you may experience some slight discomfort as the drug is administered, but this is for a short amount of time and passes within minutes.

When do I receive my results?

You may receive some results during your procedure with a clinician, but a record of the results will be made as still pictures, which will be analysed and sent to your GP or Consultant as a report. You will then be able to discuss these in a consultation to determine whether any further scans or treatment is needed, and they may recommend a treatment plan for you.

What if I need further treatment?

If your scan shows that you need treatment, your Consultant will discuss this with you. If you need a procedure, this will be carried out at KIMS Hospital in Maidstone.

Can't find the answers you need? Give us a call on 01622 237641
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  • Appointment enquiry

Our team are on hand to help answer any queries you might have about coming to KIMS Hospital or Sevenoaks Medical Centre. You can use the form below and one of our team will be in touch. Alternatively to speak to a member of our friendly team, please call 01622 237 500 between 8am-8pm Monday to Friday.

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If you would like to book an appointment, you can use the form below and one of our team will be in touch.

Alternatively to speak to a member of our friendly team, please call 01622 237 500 between 8am-8pm Monday to Friday.

Please be aware, if you are requesting a diagnostic scan such as an MRI, or CT, you must have a referral from a relevant clinician or Allied Health professional such as a physiotherapist.

  • Hidden
  • We would like to send you the latest marketing information about our services and what’s happening at KIMS Hospital. If you don’t want to give consent for this, we will still be able to get in touch with you about your enquiry. Please tick how you’d like to receive marketing information.
  • We may contact you by email or phone about your enquiry. If we try to contact you by phone and you are not available, we might leave a voicemail for you. Please ensure you’re happy with this when providing contact details.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.