Statutory protection of the title 'Sonographer' has moved forward with a recommendation to the health secretary that the profession should be regulated.
"A risk of harm to the public arising from inappropriate, inadequate and unnecessary scanning" is the reason for the recommendation given in a letter from Marc Seale, the chief executive of the Health Professions Council, to Andy Burnham.
"Although many practising sonographers are already registered, for example as radiographers and midwives, there are a relatively small but still significant number... who are working as sonographers without being subject to statutory regulation," the letter continues.
The Society of Radiographers, which earlier this year merged with the United Kingdom Association of Sonographers (UKAS), welcomed the HPC's recommendation. Audrey Paterson, the Society's director of professional policy, said: "Currently there is no independent regulatory body for healthcare practitioners using ultrasound. There is, however, growing demand from sonographers to be regulated both for the protection of the public and to uphold education, training and standards in this field."
A voluntary register was set-up by the Society and UKAS two years ago to support the application to make the register mandatory for all healthcare ultrasound practitioners. This includes sonographers involved in clinical practice, education, research, or management.
