TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Baby Scanning Boutique provides private pregnancy ultrasound and blood collection services in a welcoming, relaxed environment.

Our pregnancy ultrasound services are non-diagnostic and non-medical and are designed to provide the checks and features described within your chosen scan package.

Each package has its own purpose. Depending on the scan you choose, this may include confirming and dating a pregnancy, observing baby’s heartbeat, finding out baby’s gender, taking measurements, checking baby’s position or enjoying 3D/4D images.

Our scans are designed to complement, rather than replace, the care you receive through your NHS maternity team.

Our scope of ultrasound

Our sonographers carry out the observations included within your chosen package. They do not perform a detailed anomaly examination or specifically search for abnormalities as part of our routine private scan packages.

However, our sonographers are experienced professionals and will always act appropriately if they happen to see something unexpected during your scan.

If something is noticed which would benefit from further assessment, we will explain this sensitively and help direct you to the appropriate NHS maternity or healthcare pathway for further investigation.

This does not change the non-diagnostic nature of your BSB scan; it simply means that we will always act responsibly if something unexpected is observed.

Our scans are an additional service for you to enjoy alongside your normal maternity care.

We strongly encourage all customers to attend their routine NHS appointments, screening programmes and ultrasound examinations.

BSB scans are not intended to replace an NHS scan or an appointment with your midwife, GP, maternity unit or other healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns about your pregnancy, please contact your NHS maternity team, GP, NHS 111 or the appropriate emergency service rather than waiting for a private scan appointment.

Every BSB scan package has a clearly defined purpose and gestational range.

Depending on the package selected, your appointment may include:

• confirming the presence and location of a pregnancy;
• estimating gestational age and an estimated due date;
• observing cardiac activity where appropriate for gestation;
• identifying a multiple pregnancy;
• providing measurements;
• determining baby’s gender where included;
• checking baby’s position or presentation;
• providing specified growth measurements;
• providing 2D, 3D, 4D or HD Live images; and
• other features specifically described within your chosen package.

Your sonographer will concentrate on providing the checks and features included within the package you have booked.

Some of our packages use terms such as “reassurance”, “wellbeing” or “growth”.

These describe the particular observations included within that package and are intended to provide additional reassurance between or alongside your routine NHS maternity appointments.

For example, depending on the package, this may involve observing baby’s heartbeat, taking measurements, checking growth or confirming baby’s position.

These are focused private ultrasound services rather than detailed diagnostic or anomaly examinations.

If your sonographer happens to observe something that they feel should be assessed further, they will discuss the appropriate next steps with you.

Where your chosen package includes measurements, these will be taken during your ultrasound appointment.

Some packages may also provide an estimated fetal weight or estimated future weight.

Ultrasound measurements and weight calculations are estimates and may differ from baby’s actual weight or eventual birth weight.

Measurements can also vary depending upon baby’s position, gestation and other factors.

Where your sonographer feels that a measurement would benefit from further assessment, they may recommend that you discuss this with your NHS maternity team.

Where gender determination is included within your scan, your sonographer will provide their opinion based on baby’s appearance and position during the examination.

We take great care when providing gender determination; however, ultrasound gender determination cannot be guaranteed to be 100% accurate.

Baby’s position, movement, gestation and image quality can all affect what can be seen.

For this reason, we recommend taking this into consideration before making significant purchases or arrangements based solely upon an ultrasound gender opinion.

Seeing baby in 3D, 4D or HD Live can be a wonderful part of your appointment.

Every baby is different and image quality depends upon a number of factors, including:

• baby’s position;
• baby’s movement;
• gestational age;
• placenta position;
• amount of fluid around baby;
• baby’s hands, feet or cord being close to their face; and
• other factors affecting ultrasound image quality.For these reasons, we cannot guarantee a particular facial view or image.

Where your package includes eligibility for a complimentary rescan, this will be offered in accordance with the conditions of that package.

Pregnancy develops quickly during the early weeks, so what can be seen on ultrasound can change significantly within a short period of time.

Dates calculated from your last menstrual period may also differ from ultrasound measurements.

If your pregnancy appears to be earlier than expected or we cannot obtain all of the observations included within your package, we will explain this to you.

Where appropriate, we may recommend a repeat scan or advise you to contact your NHS Early Pregnancy or maternity service.

In some early pregnancies, a transvaginal ultrasound may provide clearer information than an abdominal examination.

Where appropriate, your sonographer will explain this option to you.

A transvaginal examination will only be performed by a suitably trained sonographer and with your consent.

You can decline or withdraw your consent at any time.

If you choose not to have a transvaginal examination, we will respect your decision. However, this may sometimes mean that we cannot obtain all of the information included within your chosen package.

BSB is committed to the responsible use of ultrasound.

Our sonographers follow recognised ultrasound safety principles and keep ultrasound exposure appropriate to the purpose of the examination.

We may ask when you last had an ultrasound scan and may recommend changing the timing of your appointment where appropriate.

The sonographer may also shorten, postpone or stop an examination if they consider this appropriate.

Our pregnancy ultrasound and blood-testing services are available to customers aged 18 years and over, unless a particular service expressly states otherwise.

To help us confirm eligibility and maintain accurate records, we may ask you to confirm your date of birth:

• when booking;
• on your consultation/consent form; and
• when arriving for your appointment.We may also ask for photographic identification where necessary.

Customers are responsible for providing accurate information. Where incorrect or misleading information has been provided, we may be unable to proceed with the appointment.

Before certain services, you will be asked to complete a consultation and consent form.

Please provide accurate information and tell a member of our team if there is anything you do not understand or would like explained before proceeding.

You may withdraw your consent before or during a procedure.

Depending upon when consent is withdrawn and whether part of the service has already been provided, withdrawal of consent does not necessarily create an entitlement to a refund.

BSB provides blood collection services in partnership with specialist external testing providers and laboratories.

There are two distinct parts to this service.

What BSB does

Our role is to provide the blood collection element of the service. Depending upon the test, this can include:

• arranging the selected test;
• checking the information required for the test;
• obtaining the appropriate consent;
• performing your blood draw;
• preparing the sample; and
• arranging for the sample to be sent to the appropriate testing provider or laboratory.What the testing provider does

The external provider or laboratory carries out the testing and analysis of your blood sample and is responsible for producing and reporting the test results.

Where your results contain clinical comments, interpretation or recommendations, these are provided by or on behalf of the testing provider unless we expressly tell you otherwise.

BSB does not independently analyse or interpret laboratory results.

Where your report recommends further investigation or medical advice, you should follow the advice contained within the report and contact your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

Our trained team will make every reasonable effort to make your blood draw as comfortable as possible.

As with any blood draw, you may experience temporary discomfort, bruising, bleeding, swelling, dizziness or occasionally fainting.

Sometimes it may not be possible to obtain a sufficient sample on the first attempt.

On rare occasions a sample may also be unsuitable for testing, for example because of clotting, haemolysis, insufficient quantity or another laboratory requirement.

If another sample is required, we or the relevant testing provider will explain the next steps to you.

Where we offer Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) or another screening blood test, the sample is collected by BSB and analysed by the relevant specialist provider.

NIPT is a screening test rather than a diagnostic test.

The exact conditions screened for, eligibility criteria, accuracy, limitations and reporting arrangements depend upon the particular test selected.

Occasionally a laboratory may be unable to provide a result and another sample may be required.

Where a result indicates that further assessment should be considered, you should follow the recommendations provided and contact your NHS maternity team or appropriate healthcare professional.

Where we offer early fetal gender blood testing, BSB collects the blood sample and the relevant external provider/laboratory performs the testing and reports the result.

The test provider determines the testing methodology, accuracy, gestational requirements and other eligibility conditions.

Customers must follow any preparation or eligibility instructions provided for their chosen test.

We understand that customers are often keen to receive their results as quickly as possible.

Any turnaround time provided is an estimate unless expressly stated otherwise.

Occasionally results may take longer because of circumstances such as laboratory workload, sample quality, courier delays, repeat testing or technical issues.

These aspects of the testing process are carried out by external providers and may therefore be outside BSB’s direct control.

Appointments can be booked through our available booking channels.

Your booking confirmation will show the service, date and time booked.

Please check your confirmation and contact us promptly if anything appears incorrect.

It is the customer’s responsibility to select a service appropriate for their gestation and circumstances.

If you are unsure which scan or service is suitable, please contact us and our team will be happy to help.

A £20 booking fee is normally required to secure your appointment.

Once an appointment is booked, that time is reserved specifically for you and is no longer available for another customer to book.

The booking fee forms part of the overall price of your appointment and will normally be deducted from the remaining balance.

Where an appointment is cancelled by the customer or the customer does not attend, the booking fee may be retained in accordance with these Terms and applicable consumer law.

We understand that plans sometimes change.

If you cannot attend your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to offer the appointment to another customer.

Where sufficient notice is provided and we agree to move your appointment, your booking fee may be transferred to the new appointment.

If you cancel your appointment, the £20 booking fee will normally be non-refundable because the appointment time was reserved for you.

Different arrangements may apply where a service involves an external laboratory, test kit, specially ordered item, promotional booking or third-party voucher and costs have already been incurred.

Nothing in this section affects your statutory consumer rights.

We want every customer to receive the time allocated to their appointment.

If you arrive late, we will always try to accommodate you where possible. However, we also need to avoid delaying customers booked after you.

Depending upon how late you arrive, we may need to shorten or rearrange your appointment.

Where the appointment can no longer reasonably be completed because of late arrival, the booking fee may be retained.

If you do not attend your appointment and have not contacted us beforehand, your appointment will be treated as a no-show.

Because the appointment time has been reserved for you and cannot normally be filled once it has passed, the booking fee will usually be retained.

Where more than the booking fee has been paid in advance, any amount retained will be dealt with reasonably and in accordance with applicable consumer law.

Very occasionally we may need to rearrange an appointment because of circumstances such as staff illness, equipment problems, utility failure or another unexpected event.

We appreciate the inconvenience this can cause and will make every reasonable effort to offer you a suitable alternative appointment.

If we cancel your appointment and cannot agree a suitable alternative, we will refund the payment made for the affected service where appropriate.

Our ultrasound and other equipment is maintained appropriately, but occasional technical problems can happen.

If an equipment problem prevents us from completing your appointment, we will normally offer another appointment or an appropriate refund for the affected service.

Digital images and videos can also occasionally be affected by technical issues.

Once you receive digital images or videos, we recommend downloading and safely storing your own copy.

Every pregnancy and every baby is different, which is part of what makes each scan unique.

Ultrasound image quality can be affected by baby’s position and movement, gestation and a number of other natural factors.

Although our sonographers will make reasonable efforts to obtain the views appropriate to your package, we cannot guarantee a particular image or view.

Some packages include the possibility of a complimentary rescan where we are unable to obtain particular views during your original appointment.

Any complimentary rescan will be offered in accordance with the rescan conditions applying to that package.

Complimentary rescans have no cash value and cannot normally be exchanged for another service.

We love being part of such a special experience and welcome customers sharing it with family and friends, subject to the capacity and conditions of the clinic.

Any children attending remain the responsibility of the accompanying adult and must be appropriately supervised.

We may occasionally need to limit guest numbers for safety, privacy or to allow the sonographer to carry out the examination effectively.

Please ask a member of our team before photographing, filming or audio recording staff or procedures within the clinic.

We may restrict recording where necessary to protect staff privacy, customer confidentiality or to allow the examination to be performed properly.

BSB will only use customer images or recordings for marketing purposes where the appropriate permission has been obtained.

We want BSB to remain a friendly and welcoming environment for everyone.

We ask customers, guests and staff to treat one another respectfully.

We may stop or refuse an appointment where abusive, threatening, discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour makes it unreasonable or unsafe for the service to continue.

Occasionally we may need to postpone, alter or decline a service.

Examples include where:

• the eligibility requirements for the service are not met;
• gestation is outside the appropriate range;
• we cannot satisfactorily confirm age or identity;
• consent has not been provided;
• information required to provide the service has not been supplied;
• proceeding would not be appropriate under our safety or professional procedures; or
• circumstances prevent us from providing the service safely and appropriately.Where possible, our team will explain the reason and discuss the available options with you.

Gift cards, vouchers, promotional offers and third-party offers may have their own eligibility conditions or expiry dates.

These will be explained with the relevant offer where applicable.

Third-party vouchers may also be subject to the terms of the company that issued them.

Promotional offers cannot normally be exchanged for cash or applied retrospectively unless expressly stated.

Your statutory consumer rights are unaffected.

Information on our website, social media pages and printed materials is designed to explain BSB’s services and help customers choose the appropriate package.

It is not intended to replace personalised advice from your midwife, GP or another healthcare professional.

We make reasonable efforts to ensure our information, package descriptions and prices are accurate and up to date.

If you are unsure about anything before booking, please contact us and our team will be happy to help.

Some services involve trusted external providers, including laboratories, testing providers, booking/payment systems and digital image services.

Where an external provider carries out a separate part of the service, that provider is responsible for the service they provide.

BSB remains responsible for providing the parts of the service carried out directly by our team with reasonable care and skill.

We take the privacy and confidentiality of our customers seriously.

We process personal information in accordance with applicable data-protection legislation and our Privacy Policy.

Because of the nature of our services, some of the information we hold may relate to pregnancy, ultrasound examinations or blood testing.

Information may be shared with an appropriate provider where this is necessary to deliver the service you have requested.

Where something observed during an ultrasound would benefit from further NHS assessment, relevant information may also be provided to you or, where appropriate and lawful, to the relevant healthcare service.

Full details about how we collect, use, store and share information are contained within our separate Privacy Policy/GDPR Notice.

Our sonographers concentrate on the checks and observations included within the scan package you have chosen.

BSB scans are focused private ultrasound services and are not intended to replace NHS screening, anomaly scans or medical assessment.

We do not routinely search for abnormalities during our scans. However, if your sonographer happens to observe something unexpected which they feel would benefit from further assessment, they will discuss this sensitively with you and help direct you towards the appropriate NHS pathway.

We believe this approach allows us to provide the relaxed and reassuring experience customers come to BSB for while ensuring that anything requiring further assessment is handled responsibly.

We will provide the parts of your service carried out by BSB with reasonable care and skill.

We are responsible for the services our own team provides.

Where an external laboratory or specialist provider performs testing, analysis or reporting, that provider is responsible for that part of the service.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to remove or restrict any consumer rights or other rights which cannot legally be excluded.

We want every customer to have a positive experience with BSB. If something has not met your expectations, please tell us so that we have an opportunity to look into your concerns and respond.
Baby Scanning Boutique Ltd

63 Chester Road West
Shotton
Flintshire
CH5 1BZ

Telephone: 01244 816922
Email: info@babyscanningboutique.co.uk

Complaints will be dealt with in accordance with our complaints procedure.

The original content, branding, photographs, graphics and other material appearing on the BSB website belong to BSB or the relevant rights holder and should not be reproduced commercially without permission.

Our website may contain links to external websites and services. We are not responsible for the content, availability or privacy practices of third-party websites.

Third-party booking, payment and other services may also have their own terms and conditions.

We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time as our services, policies, providers or legal requirements change.

The Terms applying when you make your booking will normally apply to that booking unless a change is required by law or is otherwise agreed with you.

The latest version will always be available on our website.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects your statutory consumer rights.

Where consumer law provides rights or remedies which cannot legally be excluded or restricted, those rights will continue to apply.

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Nothing within these Terms is intended to remove any mandatory rights a consumer may have regarding where legal proceedings may be brought.

If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions or any of our services, please contact our friendly team:

Baby Scanning Boutique Ltd

63 Chester Road West
Shotton
Flintshire
CH5 1BZ

Telephone: 01244 816922
Email: info@babyscanningboutique.co.uk
Company Number: 12745711