Released 19 July 2024
Request:
We are aware of the NHS England FASP 20 week scan guidance document. “There is no requirement to archive images of the fetal cardiac protocol views”.
However, we are aware there is disparity amongst NHS hospital trusts nationally when congenital heart defects are not identified at this scan. We understand some hospital trusts don’t retain fetal cardiac images, some do, and some retain video clips, and some retain both. There doesn’t seem to be any consistency.
We have been advised by NHS England and the ICB’s that they do not hold the following information as it is “granular”. We have been advised to approach each of the acute trusts.
Our questions are:
When congenital heart defects ARE NOT identified during screening at the 20 week fetal anomaly scan;
a) Does your trust currently retain the fetal cardiac views?
b) Were fetal cardiac views retained in 2021 and 2022?
c) If views are currently retained, are these still images or video clips?
d) For how long has your trust had this fetal cardiac view retention policy?
Information disclosed:
1a. Yes
1b. Yes
1c. Still images
1d. The Trust’s Radiography services estimate that this has been standard practice for 15+ years. However, they are unable to confirm when the retention of these images was initially specified in policy – please note merger information above.
We carried out a reasonable search for specific policy details that would confirm this, but no relevant information could be located.
This information is therefore not held by the Trust and not available under the terms of the Act at this time.