Current policy and guidance document library

Summary

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) is aware that prospective parents welcome the opportunity to obtain images of their developing baby and to be able to share these with their family and friends. Parents will also often ask the sonographer to reveal what the fetal sex is.

The SoR is also conscious that the time allowed to perform an ultrasound scan for diagnostic or screening purposes under NHS provision is limited. Adding non-essential services to the ultrasound scan increases the time required which can in turn have an impact on other patients with pressing clinical needs. It can also conflict with the purpose of the examination which, under NHS funded provision, will be performed for a specific clinical reason, or as part of a national screening programme for fetal abnormality. There can also be major distractions caused to the sonographer in a highly litigious area of practice at a time when very high levels of concentration are required.

This guidance relates solely to NHS commissioned ultrasound examinations performed for screening or diagnostic purposes as part of a national screening programme for fetal abnormality; or other scans performed for diagnostic or monitoring purposes that are funded as part of overall NHS maternity provision and are thus free to the mother. It does not extend to ultrasound examinations performed where a scan has been requested by the mother and is outside normal NHS provision.

Reference information: Society and College of Radiographers (2019). NHS obstetric ultrasound examinations. Guidance on sale of images, fetal sexing, commercial considerations and requests to record (Third edition). Available at: https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library [Accessed 1st February 2019].

Summary

Continuing professional development (CPD) and lifelong learning are necessary for the development of everyone who works in health and social care and for the experience of service users.

CPD and lifelong learning support a workforce that is capable of designing, delivering, evaluating and improving high-quality care and services.

The principles set out in this document should be applied across the health and social care workforce in all sectors, to support CPD and lifelong learning. Registered health and social care professionals also have a responsibility to meet the standards of their regulatory or professional body.

Reference information: Broughton W and Harris G (2019) (Eds) on behalf of the interprofessional CPD and Lifelong Learning UK Working Group. Principles for Continuing Professional Development and Lifelong Learning in Health and Social Care. Bridgwater: College of Paramedics.

Summary

Authored by Lorraine Walsh and endorsed by the Society of Radiographers as well as the Miscarriage Association and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, the poster provides practical tips and guidance for delivering difficult news in obstetric ultrasound.

The advice includes guidance on how to prepare before, what to do during, and how to act after the examination.

The poster’s recommendations include ensuring privacy and reducing the risk of interruptions, staying honest with patients, and not giving false reassurance.

Professionals should summarise to ensure the patient understands what they have been told and what will happen next.

Summary

• Begin each meeting with a patient with the belief that they can make their own decision.
• Give each person both the time and support that they need to make their own decision about consent to treatment (diagnostic and therapeutic procedures).
• If you or someone else does not agree with the patient’s decision, you cannot decide that the patient is incapable of making that decision. A person is not to be deemed incapable to consent because of an unwise decision.
• When a patient cannot make a decision then they will need help from someone to make it in the best way for them. A decision must be the least restrictive option that does not limit the person’s rights of freedom more than necessary. It may be necessary to delay procedures that are not emergencies in cases where there are any concerns.