Preparing for your Acorn appointment
Everything you need to know before you visit — how to prepare for your scan, what to expect during your appointment, results turnaround times, and key safety information. Most patients are in and out within 30-45 minutes.
Skip the GP visit for most scans
We allow self-referral for diagnostic ultrasound and most other services to speed up your care. A few key rules keep you safe.
Self-refer welcome for
- Adult diagnostic ultrasound
- REMS bone density scans
- Private GP consultations
- Blood tests
- ECG
Referral required for
- Children's ultrasound scans (under 16)
- Ultrasound-guided injections
- MRI scans
- Some surgical procedures
You must be registered with a GP
For your safety and continuity of care, you need to be registered with a GP (NHS or private). We send your report to them with your consent. Please provide GP details at registration.
Bookings are clinically vetted
All self-referrals are reviewed by our doctors using the clinical history you provide. If a scan isn't the right test, we'll advise an alternative free of charge.
Speak to your GP, email us at contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk or call 029 2199 9300.
What you need to know beforehand
Most scans need no special preparation. The exceptions are abdominal, kidney/bladder, pelvic and MRI scans.
Abdominal ultrasound
Why? Fasting lets us see your gallbladder clearly — when you eat, the gallbladder releases bile and contracts, making it hard to image. Chewing gum and cigarettes can also cause gas which obscures the view.
Diabetic or prone to hypos? Please check with your GP first, and bring a snack to eat after the scan.
Kidney, bladder & pelvic ultrasound
Why? A full bladder pushes the bowel out of the way and gives a clear view of the kidneys, bladder lining, ovaries or prostate.
Before your MRI at Asda Pentwyn
If you're claustrophobic, let us know in advance — we can plan support.
No preparation needed
The following scans need no special preparation — just wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being scanned:
- Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand
- Hip, knee, ankle, foot
- Thyroid & neck
- Lumps and bumps
- DVT & leg veins
- REMS bone density
- Blood tests (unless told otherwise)
- GP consultations
During your appointment
Arrive & check in
Aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Bring photo ID for first-time visits. You'll be greeted at reception and shown to the consulting room.
Meet your consultant
Your consultant or specialist sonographer will go through your history briefly and explain what they're going to do. Ask any questions.
The scan or procedure
Most scans take 15-30 minutes. Ultrasound uses warm gel; MRI is noisier so headphones provided. Your consultant talks you through findings.
Discuss findings
You get verbal results immediately after the scan. Time to ask questions, discuss what it means, and talk about any next steps.
What you'll receive
Verbal results immediately
Your consultant explains what they've seen during and after the scan. You leave knowing what's going on.
Written report within 24-48 hrs
A detailed written report from the consultant, emailed directly to you. Most reports arrive next working day.
Digital scan images
High-resolution copies of your scan images included — shareable with any clinician.
Onward referral if needed
If anything requires follow-up we arrange the next step — physio, GP, consultant or another scan — at no extra cost.
With your consent, we send the report directly to your GP, physio or referrer.
You're never alone in the room
Medical chaperones
A trained medical chaperone (other than the scanning clinician) is present in the scanning room for every appointment. This protects you and our staff.
We cannot offer scans without a chaperone present. If you'd prefer a same-sex chaperone, please tell us when you book.
Bringing a companion
You're welcome to bring one partner, family member, friend or carer. They can come into the consultation with you, or wait in our comfortable reception area.
For sensitive procedures (such as transvaginal ultrasound), please let us know in advance so we can plan appropriately.
About corticosteroid injections
A clear, plain-English guide for patients booked for a steroid injection. Adapted from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust leaflet (ref: 2574/VER7).
What is a steroid injection?
A corticosteroid (or 'cortisone') is an anti-inflammatory medicine injected directly into the inflamed tissue causing your symptoms. It is a safer alternative to taking oral anti-inflammatories long-term.
It is not the same as anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders. It acts locally where injected and is often combined with a local anaesthetic for immediate pain relief.
What are the benefits?
The injection helps relieve swelling, pain and stiffness caused by inflammation. This breaks the pain cycle and lets you return to rehabilitation, exercise and normal activities sooner.
It can also help diagnose the source of pain when the cause isn't yet clear — if the pain settles after the injection, the targeted tissue is confirmed as the source.
What are the risks?
Side effects are rare but include:
- Flushing of the face for a few hours
- Small area of fat loss or skin colour change at the site
- Temporary pain flare 24-48 hours after (settles on its own)
- Temporary rise in blood sugar (diabetics — check levels for 3 days)
- Bruising or bleeding (more likely on blood thinners — tell us)
- Slight vaginal bleeding or menstrual irregularity
- Allergic reaction (rare — you wait briefly post-injection to check)
- Infection (very rare — if the site becomes hot, swollen and painful >24 hrs, contact us or your GP immediately)
You should NOT have the injection if you:
- Have an infection in the injection area or anywhere else
- Are allergic to local anaesthetic or steroids
- Feel unwell on the day
- Are due to have surgery in that area soon
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have poorly controlled diabetes
- Have any doubts — talk to us first
What happens during the injection?
The risks and benefits will be explained in detail. You'll be positioned comfortably and the skin cleaned with antiseptic. The needle is gently positioned (ultrasound guidance is used for accuracy) and the solution injected. A plaster is applied. You'll be examined again a few minutes later.
The injection itself is not particularly painful — our doctors are highly trained in the technique. The area may be sore for a few hours afterwards.
What happens after?
If local anaesthetic was used, you'll feel pain relief within minutes (which may return when it wears off, like at the dentist). The steroid itself starts to work within 24-48 hours, sometimes a little longer.
The effect typically lasts around 6 weeks, varying person to person. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll need another injection — follow any advice and rehab exercises given.
Aftercare
You may be asked to rest the area for a short period (not total rest — just avoid activities that aggravate it). Gradually return to full function to maximise the benefit.
You may be shown rehab exercises in clinic or referred for physiotherapy. If you have other medical treatment within 6 weeks, mention you've had a steroid injection.
Follow-up
You may be asked to attend a follow-up appointment a few weeks after the injection to check your progress. Some conditions benefit from more than one injection — this can be discussed at the review.
Adapted from leaflet 2574/VER7 by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
Looked after with full medical rigour
HIW regulated
Inspected and regulated by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales — the same body that oversees NHS services in Wales.
GMC-registered
All consultants are registered with the General Medical Council. Nurses with the NMC. Sonographers with the HCPC.
Ultrasound is safe
Ultrasound uses sound waves — no radiation. It's the same technology used in pregnancy scans worldwide.
Confidential care
Your medical information is held securely and shared only with your consent. We comply fully with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act.
Ultrasound has limits. It cannot see lower back pain or sciatica, can't reliably assess bones for fractures, and cannot look at the bowel. For these we may recommend MRI, X-ray or another investigation.
Common patient questions
Do I need a referral to book at Acorn Private Clinic?
Most services are self-refer: ultrasound, REMS bone scans, GP consultations, blood tests and ECG. You'll need a referral from a healthcare professional for: children's ultrasound (under 16), MRI scans, ultrasound-guided injections, and some surgical procedures. If you don't have a referrer, our private GP can assess you and arrange the referral in the same visit.
How early should I arrive?
Aim for 5-10 minutes before your appointment time. This gives time for check-in, paperwork and a quick history review. We can't usually accommodate patients more than 15 minutes late as it impacts subsequent appointments.
What do I need to bring?
Photo ID for first-time visits (driver's licence, passport, or other photo ID). Any previous scan reports, GP referral letters or relevant medical records. A list of current medications is helpful. For abdominal scans, bring a snack if diabetic.
How long is a typical ultrasound appointment?
Most ultrasound appointments last 15-30 minutes including time to discuss findings. Two-area scans take longer (around 30-40 minutes). MRI is 15-45 minutes depending on the body area. Allow about an hour for the full visit.
How do I get my report?
Verbal results are given immediately during your appointment. A written consultant report is emailed to you within 24-48 hours of the scan. Most reports arrive the next working day. With your consent we can also send the report directly to your GP, physio or any other clinician.
Is ultrasound safe?
Yes — ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation. It's the same technology used worldwide in pregnancy scans and is considered safe for all patients including children and pregnant women. There are no known risks from diagnostic ultrasound.
Can I refuse a chaperone?
No — we cannot offer scans without a trained medical chaperone present, for the safety of both patients and clinicians. If you'd like a same-sex chaperone or have any specific preferences, please let us know when booking and we'll do our best to accommodate.
How long does fasting last for abdominal scans?
Fast for 4 hours before your appointment — no food, milky/fizzy/sugary drinks, chewing gum or cigarettes. Water in small sips is fine. Take your normal medications. If you're diabetic, please check with your GP first and bring a snack for afterwards.
What if I'm running late?
Call us as soon as you know on 029 2199 9300. If you'll be less than 10 minutes late we can usually still see you. More than 15 minutes and we may need to reschedule depending on the day's schedule. There's no charge to reschedule with reasonable notice.
Can I bring my children to my appointment?
Children are welcome in the reception area — we have toys and books to keep them occupied. We do ask that an accompanying adult supervises them at all times. For sensitive procedures (transvaginal ultrasound, intimate examinations), please arrange alternative childcare if possible.
What happens if you find something serious?
Your consultant will discuss the findings with you straight away and explain what they mean. If the scan reveals something that needs urgent follow-up, we arrange this at the time — whether that's a GP consultation, another scan, a specialist referral, or in rare cases an A&E visit. You're never left wondering what happens next.
How do I cancel or rearrange my appointment?
You can cancel or reschedule via the confirmation email link, or call us on 029 2199 9300. Cancellations more than 48 hours before appointment are refunded in full. Within 48 hours a cancellation fee applies. We're flexible for genuine emergencies or illness.
Ready to book in?
Self-refer online in 60 seconds for most services, call to talk it through, or email us if you need more info.