How to Request Your
Ultrasound Images
You have a legal right to a copy of your ultrasound images - free of charge, and without needing permission from your GP. This step-by-step guide explains exactly how to request your ultrasound images from an NHS or private hospital, what to ask for, and what to do with them once you have them.
Doctorum Radiologists
Published July 2026
If you have had an ultrasound scan through the NHS - abdominal, pelvic, thyroid, vascular or another type - and would like a second opinion, a private report, or simply a copy for your own records, you will need the actual image files. This guide explains exactly how to obtain them, and one thing that is particular to ultrasound.
You do not need your GP's permission.
Under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, your ultrasound images are part of your personal health data. You are legally entitled to request a copy at any time.
One thing to know about ultrasound
Unlike CT or MRI, an ultrasound does not produce a complete three-dimensional dataset that can be reviewed slice by slice afterwards. It is a live, hands-on examination, and only the still images (and occasionally short video clips) that the sonographer captured and saved during your scan are stored. When you request your images, ask for all of the saved images. A reporting radiologist works from these captured images, so the more that were saved, the more complete an independent review can be.
Before You Call: What You Will Need
Have the following information ready before you contact the hospital. This will make the process quicker and reduce the chance of delays.
- Your full name and date of birth
- Your NHS number - found on any NHS letter, prescription, or via the NHS App
- The name of the hospital or clinic where the ultrasound was performed
- The approximate date of the scan and the area examined (e.g. abdominal ultrasound, thyroid ultrasound)
Step-by-Step: How to Request Your Ultrasound Images
Contact the radiology or ultrasound department directly
Do not call your GP or the main hospital switchboard. Call the radiology department (sometimes called the imaging or ultrasound department) at the hospital or clinic where your scan was performed and ask for the PACS office. You can find the number on the hospital's website - search for the hospital name followed by "radiology department contact."
When you call, say: "I would like to request a copy of my ultrasound images. I understand I am entitled to these under the Data Protection Act."
Ask for all saved images in DICOM format
DICOM is the universal format for medical images, and it is what every radiology service and second opinion provider works with. Ask specifically for "all the saved ultrasound images in DICOM format" - not a single printout or a PDF of the report. If any video clips (cine loops) were recorded, ask for those too.
Choose how you would like to receive them
Most hospitals offer two options. Ask which is available to you:
Digital (recommended)
Many NHS trusts now use the NHS Image Exchange Portal (IEP). The hospital sends you a secure share code by email. You - or any provider you choose - can then download the images digitally. This is faster and more convenient than a CD.
CD or DVD
If digital access is not available, the hospital will burn your ultrasound images to a CD or DVD. You may need to collect it in person from the department, or it can be posted to you.
Complete any paperwork required
Some hospitals ask you to fill in a short form - either online, by email, or in person. This is standard. You may be asked to verify your identity with a form of ID such as a passport or driving licence, particularly if the images are being posted or digitally transferred.
Wait for your images - then share them securely
Once you have your ultrasound images, you are free to share them with any radiologist or second opinion service you choose. You do not need to inform the NHS or your GP that you are doing so. At Doctorum, we provide a simple, secure upload process and will guide you through every step.
Not sure where to start? We are happy to help.
If you are finding it difficult to obtain your ultrasound images - whether you are unsure who to contact, what to ask for, or have hit a delay - our team is here to help. Get in touch and we will do our best to guide you through it at no obligation.
Contact usHow Long Will It Take?
Hospitals are legally required to respond to your request within one calendar month under UK GDPR. In practice, most radiology departments provide images within one to two weeks - and many digital requests via the Image Exchange Portal can be fulfilled within a few days.
If you need your images urgently - for example, because you are awaiting a treatment decision - tell the department when you call. Many trusts have a faster pathway for urgent requests.
Is There a Cost?
Your first copy is free. Under current data protection legislation, NHS trusts cannot charge for a first copy of your medical records, including scan images. Some trusts may charge a small fee for subsequent copies, but this varies.
If a hospital tells you there is a charge for your first copy, politely ask them to clarify under which provision of the Data Protection Act 2018 the fee is being levied. In most cases, the charge will be waived.
"Your scan images belong to you. Requesting them is straightforward, free, and requires no permission from your GP or consultant."
Doctorum Consultant Radiologist
Common Questions
Do I need my GP to request my ultrasound images for me?
No. You can contact the radiology department directly as an individual. Your GP does not need to be involved and does not need to give permission. This is your right under data protection law.
Why can a radiologist only see the saved images?
Ultrasound is performed live, and the sonographer or radiologist interprets it in real time while moving the probe. Only the still images and clips they choose to save are stored. This is why ultrasound is described as "operator-dependent" - a second opinion is based on the saved images, and if only a few were captured, the reporting radiologist may recommend a repeat scan for a fuller assessment.
What exactly is a DICOM file?
DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is the standard file format used by all medical imaging - ultrasound, CT, MRI and X-ray. It contains the full-resolution image data as well as patient and examination details. Any professional radiology service, including Doctorum, will require your images in DICOM format to produce a report. If you receive a CD, it will typically include a simple viewer so you can also look at your images yourself.
Will requesting my images affect my NHS care?
No. Requesting a copy of your images does not alter your NHS pathway in any way. Your NHS referral, appointments and treatment plan continue exactly as before. Getting a private report or second opinion is entirely separate from your NHS care.
Can I request ultrasound images from a private clinic?
Yes. The same rights apply to ultrasound scans performed at private hospitals and imaging centres. Contact the radiology or imaging department directly, make the same request, and the same legal timeframes apply.
What to Do With Your Ultrasound Images
Once you have your ultrasound images, you can share them with a consultant radiologist for a formal written report - whether because you are still waiting for your NHS results, because you have received a report and want a second opinion, or simply because you want a clear, plain-English explanation of what your scan shows.
At Doctorum, the process is straightforward. You contact us, we send you a secure link to upload your DICOM files, and a UK consultant radiologist reviews them and produces a formal written report within 24-48 hours. There is no GP referral required, and a fixed price of £95 for a private ultrasound report.
Sources & Further Reading
- NHS England. How do I get a copy of my health or medical records? england.nhs.uk
- NHS Digital. How to make a Subject Access Request. digital.nhs.uk
- Information Commissioner's Office. Right of access. ico.org.uk
- UK Government. Data Protection Act 2018. legislation.gov.uk
Already have your ultrasound images?
Send them to us and receive a formal written report from a UK consultant radiologist within 24-48 hours. Fixed price of £95. No GP referral required.