Pregnant women and cancer patients are facing delays having vital ultrasound scans due to a shortage of staff which is risking lives, experts say.
NHS sonographers, who carry out scans at 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and also help diagnose cancers, warn that one in four job posts are vacant in England with even greater shortages in the north west and south east of England.
The Society of Radiographers, which represents sonographers, says demand for ultrasound has increased in healthcare but there aren't enough people being trained to do the work.
The government says it's aware of the pressure facing ultrasound services in hospitals and is planning new services in local communities.
Pregnant women across the UK are offered at least two ultrasound scans - one at 11 to 14 weeks and another between 18 and 21 weeks.
