Future Baby 4D Scanning Studio

Updated 6 October 2022

Future Baby 4D Scanning Studio is operated by MKAIN Limited based in Tilehurst in Reading. The service first registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March 2021. The areas covered by the service include; Reading, Basingstoke, Thatcham, Newbury, and Bracknell.

There is one scan room, a reception area/waiting room, and an area towards the rear of the premises where clients can sit quietly if they have received upsetting news.

The clinic provides self-referred, privately funded pregnancy scans including; viability and reassurance scans, dating scans, gender scans, well-being, and growth scans, 4D scans, detailed pelvic scans, detailed fertility scans, and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). The service provides keepsake pictures as well as other optional keepsakes such as heartbeat bears and gender reveal scratch cards.

The owner, who is medically qualified, is the CQC registered manager responsible for the service. The manager and the sonographers are supported by a receptionist during service opening times.

The centre is registered to provide the following regulated activities for adults, and for children between age 13 and 18 years:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures

Updated 6 October 2022

We have not inspected this service before. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for clients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect clients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to clients, acted on them and kept good care records.
• Staff provided good care and treatment. The registered manager monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of clients, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information. Key services were available flexibly.
• Staff treated clients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their pregnancy. They provided emotional support to clients, families, and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of clients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait for their results.
• The service had an overarching vision that focused on the needs of people who used the service. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with clients to plan and manage services and staff were committed to improving services.

However:

• There was no formal consent policy, in particular there was no documentation which considered the necessary information for taking consent for young people between age 13 and 18 years.

It is noted that following our inspection the service has produced an updated informed consent policy, which now includes reference and guidance for gaining consent from children. (September 2022)

• The service should consider improving the method of recording team meetings.

Updated 6 October 2022

See Overall Summary above