Meet My Baby Wigan

Updated 27 November 2023

Meet my Baby Wigan registered with the Care Quality Commission in 2022 to provide the regulated activity of diagnostic and screening procedures. The provider is registered as an individual to carry out ultrasound baby scanning for keepsakes. The service provides ultrasound baby imaging for pregnant women from the gestation of seven weeks.

There is no requirement to have a registered manager where a provider is registered as an individual. Facilities include a scanning room, waiting area, and toilet facilities. The service had carried out 831 scans between July 2022 and July 2023.

The service enables pregnant women aged 18 years and over to pay privately for a range of abdominal ultrasound scans in 2D, 3D and 4D during pregnancy. The images are recorded and presented as a keepsake for the service user. The scans are not performed for diagnostic purposes and the only screening activity offered is in relation to gender reveals of the unborn baby. The service provides keepsake pictures and DVDs to people who use the service as well as other optional keepsakes such as heartbeat bears and gender reveal balloons and cannons.

All scans were performed by the provider and the service did not employ any other staff. The provider is referred to as the sonographer throughout the report.

This service has not previously been inspected and no enforcement or compliance actions have been taken against this provider.

Updated 27 November 2023

This was our first inspection of this location. We rated it as good:

• The sonographer had training in key skills, understood how to protect women from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to women, acted on them and kept good care records. The service knew how to manage safety incidents to learn lessons from them.
• The sonographer monitored the effectiveness of the service. The sonographer recognised risks to pregnant women, they worked for the benefit of women, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information.
• Staff treated women with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to women, families and carers.
• The service planned and provided services in a way that met the needs of local people. People could access the service when they needed it.
• The sonographer had the skills and abilities to run a service providing high-quality sustainable care. They promoted a positive culture that supported and valued women.
• The sonographer cared for women, their families and carers with compassion. They made it easy for people to give feedback and feedback from women confirmed that they were treated well and with kindness. Staff involved patients and those close to them in decisions about their care and treatment and provided emotional support to patients to minimise their distress.
• The sonographer ran the service using reliable information systems. The service had a vision for what it wanted to achieve and workable plans to turn it into action. They were focused on the needs of women receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities.
• The service engaged well with women and the community and local organisations to plan and manage appropriate services and was developing links with partner organisations effectively.

However:

• At the time of the inspection the service did not have a system to peer review images.
• The service did not check proof of age to ensure women were over 18 years of age.

Updated 27 November 2023