Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to charge parents for baby scan photos

A hospital trust has sparked controversy after deciding to charge parents for baby scan photos.

From Thursday, September 1, patients at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust will have to pay for pictures of their child.

It will cost £5 for one photo, £7 for two and £10 for three scan photos and you can only pay by card.

The Trust has also said anyone unhappy with the photos is unable to get a refund.

Posting on social media the MTW Maternity page said: "Photos will be available at routine first trimester and anomaly screening appointments.

"You need to buy the ticket for your baby photo before your scan appointment time, please allow time to do this.

"The machine is in the waiting area - you won’t be able to purchase photos in the scan room.

"We regret we cannot offer refunds if you are unhappy with the image. The maximum is three photos per scan appointment.

"Your sonographer will do their best to take good photos of your baby within the timeframe of your scan but they may be unable to get different poses as this depends on how your baby is lying and moving during the scan, so you may get three similar photos.

"We do not offer photos later in pregnancy because babies grow too large to be photographed well."

The controversial decision has divided opinion among soon-to-be parents, with hundreds of people commenting on the post.

Zoey Burston wrote: "How pathetic to charge people to have a scan photo of their own baby."

"This is so sad. I have no words," Shauna Burke added.

Sian Jade Docherty described her own experience of being upset with her baby scan photos and the thought of not getting a refund.

She said: "The problem with this is when I was pregnant with my son I didn't get one decent photo where you could see him properly or clearly.

"If I had paid for them I'd be livid not being able to get a refund if the photos aren't good."

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers already fork out enormous amounts of cash for the NHS, so it seems unreasonable to charge for a picture of such a special moment for many families.

"The NHS must look at ways to make savings, and bringing revenues should be a part of any plan.

"But bosses would be better off introducing charges for missed appointments, which would help save a huge amount of taxpayers' money and signal to patients that 'free at the point of use' does not mean there is no cost."

A Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust spokesman said: "All baby scans for pregnant people are provided free of charge at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) as part of their maternity care, and always have been.

"Like many other NHS trusts, from September we will charge a small fee for those who want a printed copy of their baby scans."

Elsewhere Medway charge £7 for two while East Kent ask for donations.