Baby Scan Service Rated Inadequate by Inspectors

Precious Glimpse, a private ultrasound clinic in Roundhay, Leeds, has been rated Inadequate and slapped with a warning notice following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in May, which highlighted severe safety risks, unmaintained equipment, and a lack of informed consent protocols for expecting parents.

CQC Inspection Findings at Precious Glimpse Roundhay

The private clinic, which typically performs about 40 scans per week, dropped from its previous rating of Requires Improvement awarded after a 2020 evaluation. According to the CQC inspection report, the facility received the lowest possible score in four out of six assessment areas: overall, safe, effective, and well-led. Meanwhile, the business was marked as requiring improvement in categories covering caring and responsive services.

Inspectors uncovered multiple shortcomings during their May visit. Investigators found that equipment was neither kept clean nor well-maintained, creating potential risks of harm to visitors. Furthermore, the registered manager who conducted the scans had failed to keep up to date with mandatory training or undertake refresher competency training designed to keep patients safe.

Informed Consent and Unmonitored Scan Risks

Beyond hygiene and training deficiencies, the CQC determined that the service “did not ensure people understood all the risks associated with their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.” Inspectors noted that staff failed to ask clients for the dates of their National Health Service (NHS) scans.

Crucially, the watchdog reported that the clinic lacked any process for monitoring individuals who underwent frequent scans. “This meant there was a risk unborn babies may be exposed to very frequent ultrasound scans,” inspectors concluded in their published findings.

Business Response and Franchise Clarification

In response to the failing rating and warning notice, Precious Glimpse Roundhay stated that “all aspects raised have been addressed.” Business owner Kathryn Rennison criticized the regulatory body’s oversight, adding, “The CQC has had no contact with me for seven years, therefore no support or advice has been offered for all this time.”

Despite the regulatory criticisms, the CQC observed that women interviewed by inspectors who had used the service recently expressed being “very positive about their experience.” Additionally, while Precious Glimpse Roundhay previously operated as part of the Precious Glimpse Ltd franchise, a corporate spokesperson clarified that the local branch is no longer affiliated with the broader network.