I have been coming to Basildon hospital sonography department in the maternity block for quite a few years now and unfortunatley have yet to have a pleasent experience. My husband and I are expecting our first baby so your first scan being such an exciting/nervous time and it turning out to be an absolutle nightmare experience finally warrents me to vent my concerns on here. We turned up for the scan and as soon as we walked in I was asked how far along I was to then be told in a very abrupt tone that the whole scan would be a waste of time because I was too early and the NHS had requested me to early. In the mean time of trying to have this important chat with the sonographer on this mess up, we were constantly being interrupted by the other lady in the room who very rudely was asking me questions. we eventually got to see our baby on the screen with a heart beat and after the 4th declaration of "this is all a waste of time" from the sonographer I politely responded I fully understood how it is an inconvenience for them as they cant fulfill all there checks but for us as a couple who hve no idea what is going on inside it DEFFINATLEY WAS NOT a waste of time for us. My husband was appaled by the whole scenario and the way we were spoken too, we were already very apprehensive, nervous and excited to go in which unfortunately turned quickly to a very uncomfortable experience that we felt this had to be voiced. Over this year I have also heard from others how there experience in this department was appalling. This should be a very important time for an expecting couple but the contrary felt like a massive nightmare!!! I have my next scan in a couple of weeks and I'm absoutley dreading it based on the unknown of what service I'm going to get.