How Much Does a Private Ultrasound Cost in London? What You Really Need to Know

Meeting the Demand for Speed… at a Price

With NHS wait times stretching into weeks, many working-age Londoners—80% of private diagnostic users among them—are opting to pay for faster access. Private clinics now perform over 1.1 million scans annually, offering appointments from as little as £150, with results in 48 hours or less.

Price Snapshot: What’s the Real Deal?

• Budget Clinics

  
  

  • The Scan Clinic: from £60 for basic scans. Convenient but minimal service.

  • UniClinic: starts at £80. Basic access, no frills.

  
  

• Transparent Mid-Range

  
  

  • IUS London: £119–£239. Includes HCPC-registered sonographer, report, same-day results, clear pricing.

  • Vista Health: Standard £175 or Priority (within 7 days) £195—with report and digital images included.

  
  

• Premium Providers

  
  

  • London Sono: £197 per area (abdomen, pelvic, thyroid, etc.). Straightforward and clinical.

  • Cleveland Clinic London: starting around £425 for ultrasounds, bundled in a full self-pay diagnostic service.

  
  

• Typical Pricing Ranges by Scan Type (The Scan):

  
  

  • Musculoskeletal: £150–£350

  • Pregnancy: £100–£400

  • Pelvic, DVT, Thyroid: £150–£400

  • Specialist scans (e.g., transvaginal): £180–£350

    
    

Why The Prices Vary So Widely

1. Location Premium

   
   

   • Clinics in affluent locations command higher fees due to prestige—not necessarily better quality.

   
   

2. Who Runs the Scan

   
   

   • Nurse sonographers vs. consultant radiologists—prices vary based on level of expertise.

   
   

3. What’s Included

   
   

   • IUS and Vista include reports upfront. Others add extras like follow-up consultations or admin fees.

     
     

4. Urgency Charges

   
   

   • Faster slots (same day or 7-day) cost more—paying for convenience, not better diagnostics.

   
   

The Devil’s Advocate Viewpoint

If a clinic offers a £60 scan, ask what it doesn’t include. A scan that runs just 10 minutes may miss nuanced findings. The average price for an abdominal scan is nearer £327, signaling quality—not marketing—as the driver.

Who Benefits—and Who Should Be Cautious

• Ideal for:

  
  

  • People seeking reassurance or fast answers.

  • Those who value convenience and clear deliverables.

  • Individuals comfortable interpreting results with proper medical follow-up.

    
    

• Not ideal for:

  
  

  • Patients needing long-term care, monitoring, or symptom-directed workup.

  • Anyone relying solely on scan results to diagnose a condition.

  • Those on a tight budget but needing comprehensive diagnostics—costs can accumulate fast.

    
    

Final Take

Private ultrasound in London ranges from affordable convenience (£60–£80) to premium medical-grade service (£400+). The key isn’t the scan—it’s who reads it, what’s included, and how results are interpreted.

Want access in 48 hours? Expect to pay more—but you can get quality, transparent, and clinician-led care if you choose wisely.