Tuesday, 3 June 2025
ASA Highlights risk of keepsake scans, calls for national regulation of sonographers
"Reassurance scans" offered by private clinics and often undertaken by unqualified staff have brought renewed attention to the urgent need for national regulation of sonographers, including protection of the title “sonographer” in Australia.
These scans, which some women choose to have for personal reasons, are often marketed as keepsake or entertainment services. They are not part of the recommended diagnostic obstetric ultrasound exams, are not referred, are not Medicare rebateable and are not designed to identify anomalies or make a diagnosis. However, many consumers may not be aware of their limitations. These exams are often performed without clinical oversight and may pose serious risks to patients including false reassurance, misinformation and unnecessary ultrasound exposure.
Many of these services are promoted by clinic owners or managers seeking to meet demand from excited or anxious expectant parents. They ‘reassure’ consumers by stating that the scans are conducted by “qualified” staff.
The ASA strongly supports the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology position on non-medical use of ultrasound, which does not support the use of ultrasound solely for keepsake or entertainment purposes. The ASA emphasises the following points:
- Non-diagnostic scans are not a substitute for medical care and should not be relied on to inform pregnancy decisions
- All medical ultrasound must be performed by a qualified practitioner such as an accredited sonographer and in line with clinical protocols
- Exams undertaken for personal or entertainment purposes may place the fetus at risk and result in anxiety, delay or misdiagnosis
The ASA has long led calls for national regulation of the sonography profession to protect patients and uphold consistent professional standards. Sonographers are highly trained medical imaging professionals who perform most diagnostic ultrasound services in Australia. Yet sonography remains one of the only clinical professions of its kind not regulated under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). This regulatory gap leaves the title “sonographer” unprotected, meaning unqualified individuals may present themselves as professionals despite lacking the necessary training and accountability. Without regulation, anyone can claim the title “sonographer” regardless of qualifications. This puts patients at risk and undermines both patient safety and the credibility of the profession.
The ASA strongly supports the inclusion of sonography in the current national review of NRAS and welcomes Federal Health Minister Mark Butler’s commitment to investigate unsafe scanning practices. We also welcome AHPRA’s recent statement acknowledging the risks posed by unregulated services and its commitment to working with governments on potential regulatory reform.
National regulation will provide vital protections for patients and the profession. It will:
- ensure that only appropriately qualified professionals can call themselves “sonographers”
- create enforceable national standards for practice, conduct and ongoing competence
- establish a national complaints scheme
- strengthen public confidence in ultrasound services through consistent oversight
To further raise public awareness and safety, the ASA is contributing to work led by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to help consumers understand the role of diagnostic ultrasound in pregnancy and the limitations and risks of non-diagnostic scans.
Sonographers are essential to Australia’s diagnostic healthcare system. The ASA supports all efforts to protect patients, uphold clinical standards and ensure the integrity of ultrasound services through national regulation.