Open petition: Review timing of NHS Anatomy Scans for pregnancies at 15-16 rather than 20 weeks

Created by Courtney Young
Closes on 6 February 2027

We call on the NHS to review the merits of offering the anatomy scan to pregnant women at 15–16 weeks, where medically appropriate, instead of waiting until 20 weeks.

We believe earlier scans could detect serious conditions sooner, giving families more time to seek specialist advice, understand their options & access the care and support they need. Routine anatomy scans should take place at 15–16 weeks, where medically appropriate, to detect serious conditions earlier. Earlier diagnosis gives families more time to access specialist care, arrange further testing, prepare for treatment, or make informed decisions about their pregnancy. It can reduce the emotional impact of waiting for answers & improve access to timely support, helping parents & healthcare teams plan the best possible care for both mother & baby.

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