The practice of ‘reassurance’ or ‘souvenir scans’

02 Jun 2025

Joint Statement by Ahpra and the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia

We share Minister Butler’s concern about potential predatory practices by some sonographers offering 'reassurance' or 'souvenir scans' and reports that some may be offering unqualified clinical advice while providing these scans.

Medical ultrasounds are an important part of prenatal care. When qualified and registered health practitioners are involved they offer a safe way to monitor a developing baby and can provide reassurance to parents throughout stages of pregnancy.

A ‘reassurance scan’ may not be the same as a medical ultrasound and it is important that providers are not misleading patients in the service that they are providing.

A medical ultrasound will provide a scan of a baby and an accompanying clinical or diagnostic report from an appropriately registered health practitioner for the parents and treating practitioners.

‘Reassurance’ or ‘souvenir’ scans are often advertised as offering peace of mind to parents. They can reveal a baby's gender or provide a memento of the unborn baby in 3D, and sometimes 4D. They are not a medical scan and do not include a clinical or diagnostic report. They should not take the place of a medical ultrasound scan.

We are concerned to hear reports that some businesses and sonographers are offering verbal warnings to parents that there may be a problem with their unborn child that is not documented nor reported.

Sonographers should not be providing clinical advice unless they are qualified to do so.

Ahpra and the Medical Radiation Practice Board are monitoring this practice. We remind registered health practitioners of their obligations under their Code of conduct. This includes the need to obtain informed consent from patients before starting procedures which should include the expectations for the ultrasound study, expected outcomes, and escalation for further advice should it not be a medical ultrasound referral.

All health practitioners – registered and unregistered – also have advertising obligations, which are outlined in the Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service. Ahpra has an established team to look at concerns that are raised about advertising a regulated health service.

We will work closely with the Department of Health, Disability and Aging in providing advice to the Minister on how the public can be better protected in regulation in this industry.

Background

‘Sonographer’ is not a protected title under the National Law. Sonography may be performed by medical radiation practitioners (a regulated profession under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme) and unregistered health practitioners who may go by the title ‘sonographer’. Ultrasounds may also be performed by other registered health practitioners.

The Independent review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is currently considering whether sonographers should be regulated under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme and if ‘sonographer’ should become a protected title. A recommendation on this is expected later this year.

Raise a concern

For unregulated health professions and practitioners, a complaint may be made to the health complaints entity in the relevant State of Territory, for example the Health Care Complaints Commission in NSW.

Complaints about regulated health professions, including medical radiation practice, can be made to Ahpra on 1300 419 495 or by lodging a complaint online.