Somerset Early Scans

Somerset Early Scans: obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound in the South West of England

Somerset Early Scans is a private ultrasound clinic founded in 2014 that focuses on early pregnancy and gynaecological health. Its team is made up of doctors, nurse practitioners and advanced practitioner sonographers, and the clinic itself presents itself as an award-winning team. The company operates from three locations: Bridgwater, Bath (in Paulton) and Bristol, the latter opened in 2025 in the historic Litfield House building.

Pregnancy services

The clinic performs pregnancy scans at various stages. Its catalogue includes early pregnancy and viability scans, fetal gender scans, growth and well-being scans, and 4D scans. It also offers non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which it introduced in 2015 as a screening method for Down syndrome.

Gynaecological ultrasound and pelvic health

The gynaecology service covers pelvic health assessments, fertility and other indications. Among the examinations it offers are pelvic ultrasound for general assessment of the uterus and ovaries, follicle tracking to monitor ovulation in fertility treatments or natural conception, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) assessment, endometrial thickness measurement, ovarian cyst evaluation, fibroid mapping and monitoring, postmenopausal pelvic assessment, investigation of abnormal bleeding, investigation of pelvic pain and location of intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Fertility, menopause and prolapse

The clinic runs a satellite fertility clinic in partnership with the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM), based mainly in Bridgwater. It also offers a menopause clinic and a prolapse and pessary clinic, the latter focused on pessary treatment.

History and awards

Since opening in 2014, the company has gradually expanded its services and team. In 2015 it introduced non-invasive prenatal testing; in 2017 it opened the Bath clinic and launched an online booking system; in 2021 it introduced fertility services. Over the years, advanced practitioner sonographers Victoria and Bea, advanced nurse practitioner Angela, consultant gynaecologist Suvarna Mahavarkar, sonographers Jane and Hannah and, in 2024, sonographer Amie Whittard, with nearly twenty years of experience, have joined the team. The clinic also has clinic assistants at its various locations.

In terms of awards, Somerset Early Scans was rated "Outstanding" in its 2022 Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection and has been recognised as Ultrasound Clinic of the Year by the Prestige Awards for four consecutive years (2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25). In 2021 it was a finalist in the Somerset Business Awards in the service excellence category. The clinic states that it is fully insured, registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and adheres to the professional standards of the General Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Society of Radiographers.

Patient care and coverage

The clinic describes its model of care as more unhurried than that of other centres, with longer appointments and explanation of results in real time during the scan. Its locations cover different areas: the Bridgwater clinic is accessible from the M5 and serves Taunton, Yeovil and Weston-super-Mare; the Bath clinic, located in Paulton, serves Bath, Bristol, Frome, Chippenham and Warminster; and the Bristol clinic, in Litfield House, serves Bristol and its surroundings. The company also offers a pregnancy calculator on its website to estimate weeks of gestation.

Locations and premises

Bristol location: Litfield House Medical Centre, 1 Litfield Place, Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3LS

Bridgwater location: Taunton Road Medical Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 3LS

Bath location: Elm Hayes Surgery, Clandown Road, Paulton, BS39 7SF